All over Europe, heads of government are scrambling for a way to avoid the economically deadly tariffs due to be imposed by US President Donald J. Trump unless these countries walk the line.
In the UK, the failing Labour Government has rapidly let Washington know that it’s willing to rework the ‘Online Safety Act’ (a.k.a. online censorship in overdrive) in order to remain o the good side of Trump’s administration.
The Act, which ‘regulates online speech’, is despised by the president’s administration because not only does it thwart precious free speech, but it also can end up levying massive fines on US tech companies.
The Telegraph reported:
“Downing Street is willing to renegotiate elements of the Act in order to strike a trade deal, should it be raised by the US, The Telegraph understands. The law has been heavily criticized by free speech advocates and economists, who argue its broad provisions to tackle harmful online content could lead to excessive censorship and deter investment from American tech giants.”
The censorship initiative submits social media giants to massive fines if they fail to remove ‘harmful content’ (a.k.a. content against their dreadful narratives) from their platforms.
Elon Musk’s participation in the administration and Trump’s friendship with major tech executives are expected to make his stance demanding free speech policies in other countries even tougher.
“Another source close to the Trump’s administration suggested the act was viewed as ‘Orwellian’ in the US and could become a flashpoint in negotiations. “To many people that are currently in power, they feel the United Kingdom has become a dystopian, Orwellian place where people have to keep silent about things that aren’t fashionable,” they said. ‘The administration hate it [Online Safety Act]. Congress has been saying that [it is a concern] ever since it was enacted. Those in the administration are saying the exact same thing’.”
Musk’s X is gearing up for a fight with the UK regulator Ofcom, which was supposed to be granted this new censorship superpower in the coming weeks.
“Mr. Musk has said: ‘Thank goodness Donald Trump will be president just in time’, in response to the new powers handed to Ofcom when the Online Safety Act comes into force in March.”
Britain’s laws on free speech are a complete joke, whereas in the US, the right to freedom of speech is enshrined in its Constitution.
Founder of the Free Speech Union, Lord Young of Acton, said that the UK was on a collision course with the Big US tech firms.
“If that happens, Trump will side with his tech bros and tell Sir Keir that if he wants a trade deal, he’ll call off his dogs.”
The Labour party’s manifesto says it means to ‘explore further measures to keep everyone safe online, particularly when using social media’ – and what they mean by that is bad, old censorship.
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