I have written much about the Government’s latest attempts to control the internet, their Online Safety Bill. For example:
Another attack on privacy in the name of protecting children – Smart Thinking Solutions
Fundamentally it is a good bill, however some of the inclusions, although they sound good, are easily evaded by those they are meant to foil but have a heavy impact on the law abiding.
I have not read the whole bill yet, but a search shows no mention of virtual private networks (VPN) or end to end encryption (E2EE) – so it looks like the use of these legal services will not be restricted. More research is required and time to read the 225 pages of the bill!
However this does not mean the bill is still without it’s problems. Here is an article from The Conversation, by Laura Higson-Bliss, a Lecturer in Law at Keele University looking at how the bill will have an impact on legal free speech and just how much discretionary power with be handed to a UK Government and Parliament.
Controlling the internet and technology with just laws is always going to be an issue in a free society. China manages it, Russia does to some extent, but does the UK Government want that kind of control. I would not think so. Laws have to have the support of the people, which is why the poll tax failed and initiative like the Government’s Let’s stop abuse together campaign with laws that are better than their Online Safety Bill deserve our support.
Do the research – be informed – and make you own mind up.
Clive Catton MSc (Cyber Security) – by-line and other articles
Further Reading
Online Safety Bill articles (Smart Thinking Solutions)
Online Safety Bill publications – Parliamentary Bills – UK Parliament
Draft Online Safety Bill (Joint Committee) – Summary – Committees – UK Parliament
Draft Online Safety Bill – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Smart Thinking Solutions supports this UK Government initiative:
Let’s stop abuse together – Stop Abuse Together (campaign.gov.uk)
