Online Safety Law Sparks Free Speech Concerns, Says X – A UK-Based Debate Intensifies
The UK’s Online Safety Law has reignited fierce debate this week after social media giant X (formerly Twitter) sounded the alarm over what it sees as a growing threat to free expression.
The platform criticised the government’s new regulatory regime, warning that the Online Safety Act, currently being enforced, risks crossing a line.
“When lawmakers approved these measures, they made a conscientious decision to increase censorship in the name of ‘online safety’,” X said in a statement. “It is fair to ask if UK citizens were equally aware of the trade-off being made.”
This isn’t the first time the Act has drawn heat. While originally intended to crack down on harmful content and protect children, critics argue its scope is far too broad.
Campaigners, creators, and even some politicians say the legislation has had an unintended chilling effect. Legal content is being removed. Speech, they claim, is being stifled.
Over 468,000 people have signed an online petition demanding that the law be repealed. A large number of complaints also centre around invasive age verification checks, forcing users to share personal information just to access adult websites.
Despite the public pushback, the UK government remains firm. Officials confirmed this week there are no plans to backtrack. Instead, they’re pressing ahead, working closely with regulator Ofcom to get the full rollout completed.
On Tuesday, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle doubled down. He dismissed critics, saying those opposed to the law were “on the side of predators.”
X, however, believes the law’s good intentions are being lost in poor execution. While the platform confirmed it has implemented the required age verification measures, it warned of the pressure companies now face.
X stated that compliance isn’t enough, platforms are still staring down the barrel of potential fines and enforcement actions. “It’s safe to say that significant changes must take place to achieve these objectives in the UK,” the company said.
The root concern? Over-censorship. X argues that fear of penalties is pushing platforms to silence more content than necessary, just to stay safe.
The UK government disagrees. In response, a spokesperson pushed back hard: “It is demonstrably false that the Online Safety Act compromises free speech.
As well as legal duties to keep children safe, the very same law places clear and unequivocal duties on platforms to protect freedom of expression.”
Ofcom, meanwhile, has begun investigating four companies that operate 34 adult content websites, further signalling that enforcement is ramping up.
With voices clashing over safety, censorship, and liberty, one thing is clear, Britain’s digital future is at a crossroads. The Online Safety Law was designed to clean up the web. But whether it’s sweeping too wide is now a question with no easy answers.
