Opponents challenge Keir Starmer on censorship and monitoring practices
In a move aimed at safeguarding minors from harmful online content, Britain has implemented the Online Safety Act (OSA) in late July. This new legislation, overseen by regulatory body Ofcom, applies uniformly across the UK, including major cities like London and Manchester.
Under the OSA, adult internet users in these areas are required to undergo age verification to access age-restricted content, such as pornographic material. Websites offering such content must confirm if a user is over 18 before granting access, using methods that do not require storing or collecting personal data unless absolutely necessary. This could involve facial age estimation tools or trusted third-party age verification that respect privacy laws.
Platforms have a duty to protect users and must use safe, proportionate, and secure methods to verify age without compromising user privacy. These obligations apply to various types of websites, including music streaming platforms and porn sites.
The Act also requires online services to ensure their systems prevent children from bypassing safety protections, such as by using VPNs. Platforms can face penalties if they promote or facilitate VPN use aimed at circumventing age restrictions.
While age verification is mandated, the law does not ban any legal adult content. Instead, it focuses on protecting children from harmful content while enabling adults legal access without arbitrary blocks.
However, the OSA has faced criticism for being too stringent and intrusive. Concerns have been raised about the potential for data breaches and the intrusive nature of some verification methods, such as requiring adults to send selfies for biometric verification or upload their passports to verify their identity.
Despite these criticisms, the OSA is considered one of the world's most stringent internet laws, reflecting Britain's commitment to protecting its citizens, particularly its youngest members, from the potential harms of the online world.
In summary, the Online Safety Act (OSA) requires adult internet users in London, Manchester, and the rest of Britain to prove they are over 18, typically via privacy-preserving age checks on platforms hosting age-restricted or harmful content. This applies throughout the UK, under the government's Online Safety Act enforcement and Ofcom regulation.
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