The UK has introduced a new piece of legislation it calls the Online Safety Bill (OSB). Some people suggest the OSB will enhance the safety of the internet for users, while others suggest it is nothing more than false progress that will ultimately confuse us into endorsing our permissions to lessen our freedoms.
Personally, I can see both arguments. Protection is only protection when it protects a user, more importantly a child (but I'm not really convinced children should be on the internet without parental guidance). Still, the OSB would essentially give governments and the tech sector a lot of power over how an individual is allowed to exercise expression and action online.
What the legislation does
The legislation requires major platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to do more to prevent harmful or illegal content. This involves:
• Removing scams and harmful content.
• Preventing unsafe or abusive messages.
• Fining companies for not taking action within prescribed timelines.
Seems reasonable, right? But here's the problem— the legislation also allows the government to dictate what “harmful” is. It could even force apps to scan private messages.
It's a larger concern as well - who defines harmful? Today it is child safety, which of course, we all support. But tomorrow? Maybe it is political beliefs or dissent? This is what people are calling a "Trojan horse." It is disguised as a "safety" app, but really, it is just control.
Sure, online safety is an issue. Children should be protected from predators and scams. But the real issue is can we trust government and tech companies to act responsibly with that power?
History tells us that once we allow surveillance, it doesn't lessen. Safety becomes control. Users like you and I are usually the ones caught in the middle. It feels less like putting on a seatbelt and more like being locked in a cage.
So what do you think, are we protecting people, or is it a Trojan horse anti-freedoms bill?
Personally, I can see both arguments. Protection is only protection when it protects a user, more importantly a child (but I'm not really convinced children should be on the internet without parental guidance). Still, the OSB would essentially give governments and the tech sector a lot of power over how an individual is allowed to exercise expression and action online.
What the legislation does
The legislation requires major platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to do more to prevent harmful or illegal content. This involves:
• Removing scams and harmful content.
• Preventing unsafe or abusive messages.
• Fining companies for not taking action within prescribed timelines.
Seems reasonable, right? But here's the problem— the legislation also allows the government to dictate what “harmful” is. It could even force apps to scan private messages.
What people worry about
Think about this for a second: if applications have access to read private messages, there is no private. We share or joke about things with friends that a machine could define as "wrong." Do we really want bots or authority figures to see that?It's a larger concern as well - who defines harmful? Today it is child safety, which of course, we all support. But tomorrow? Maybe it is political beliefs or dissent? This is what people are calling a "Trojan horse." It is disguised as a "safety" app, but really, it is just control.
Control or Safety?
Sure, online safety is an issue. Children should be protected from predators and scams. But the real issue is can we trust government and tech companies to act responsibly with that power?
History tells us that once we allow surveillance, it doesn't lessen. Safety becomes control. Users like you and I are usually the ones caught in the middle. It feels less like putting on a seatbelt and more like being locked in a cage.
My thoughts
I support that tech companies should protect users. But for me, scanning private messages and conversations goes too far. The bill reminds me of someone saying; "We've put a camera in your house to help protect against burglars, and don't worry we will just look for the bad stuff." No thanks.In conclusion
The Online Safety Bill might improve the internet, but at what cost, privacy and freedom? The issue isn't the bill itself. It is how the bill can be used in the future. Once we give up control, we don't get it back.So what do you think, are we protecting people, or is it a Trojan horse anti-freedoms bill?