The UK has implemented an age verification law under the Online Safety Act, effective from July 25, which compels web service providers to enforce strict measures against minors accessing harmful content. Consequently, services like Spotify and platforms for gaming content have experienced significant censorship, with mass content removal deemed easier than risk of penalties for non-compliance. This trend mirrors similar legislation in Australia, Ireland, and across Europe, raising concerns about privacy loss and a more heavily monitored internet landscape.
The Online Safety Act mandates that web service providers implement rigorous age verification to keep children from harmful content, resulting in widespread censorship across various internet services.
Heavy penalties for compliance failures under the Online Safety Act have pushed tech companies to remove large quantities of content rather than risk being non-compliant.
The Online Safety Act is symptomatic of a broader global trend of increasing internet censorship, as governments take steps to monitor and restrict online activities and content.
Countries worldwide, including Australia and Ireland, are enacting similar age verification laws, leading to concerns about privacy erosion and the impact on freedom of expression online.
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