UK Government rolls back freedom of speech – Britain is going to censor social media

The country’s new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the Government would be reviewing social media laws as part of efforts to prevent further disorder.

The Telegraph reported that it understands ministers are looking at introducing a duty on social media companies to restrict “legal but harmful” content.

It could mean that firms are required to remove or suppress posts spreading fake news about asylum seekers or other topics such as self-harm, even if they do not meet the threshold for illegality.

However, critics have said the proposals expose “the sinister and authoritarian side” of Sir Keir’s Labour Party, driving “a coach and horses” through the principle of free speech.

The potential crackdown on tech companies would likely form part of a review of the Online Safety Act, which was passed last year.

The Act requires platforms to take “robust action” against illegal content and activity and will be implemented gradually.

A “legal but harmful” clause, requiring firms to take down or restrict the visibility of content deemed to be dangerous but not against the law, was included in the original Bill brought forward by the Tories in 2022.

However, it was removed because of free-speech concerns, with critics warning it could allow a future Labour government to censor controversial material.

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