Summary
Some social media companies are blocking certain posts about the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza due to the UK's new Online Safety Act. This law, aimed at protecting children from harmful content, requires sites to verify users' ages, which has led to restrictions on various public interest posts. Experts worry that these restrictions could limit important public discussions.
Key Facts
- The UK's new Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to block harmful content and verify user ages.
- Non-compliance can result in fines up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue.
- Posts about Ukrainian and Gazan conflicts have been blocked on sites like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.
- Age verification is causing access restrictions to non-harmful public interest content.
- Experts are concerned these restrictions might suppress important public debates.
- Some specific posts, like parliamentary debates and a classic painting image, have been mistakenly restricted.
- Platforms like Reddit now require age verification for certain discussion groups.
- The act aims to protect under-18s from content like pornography and posts encouraging self-harm.
