A rather alarming section from the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's report on misinformation that suggests some support for treating online platforms as publishers of user-generated content. Why has no one thought of this before? committees.parliament.uk/work/8641/soci…

Recommendations like this do not inspire confidence in technology regulation proposals. Free speech issues aside, the lack of understanding of the technology is concerning. Recommendation algorithms do not "store" data. committees.parliament.uk/publications/4…

Pretty sure it's not the footy this time...

British Google search data for "vpn" and "online safety act" over the past five years. Did something happen last night? 🤔

Some historical context: The last time British people were Googling "vpn" this much was between late Sept and early Oct 2020 shortly after the government announced another COVID 19 work from home mandate.

Matthew Feeney It’s an AGE check, not an identity check.

Age verification is rolling out in the UK today and predictably, it’s causing legitimate content to disappear — even from adults. wired.com/story/the-age-…

A disappointing but unsurprising comment from an old playbook. Govts often erode civil liberties in the name of safety, and defenders of civil liberties are often described as supporters of criminals. If you were against the PATRIOT Act you were on the side of Al Qaeda.

The Online Safety Act is not "modest". It is the worst piece of internet content regulation or legislation in the English-speaking democratic world. Much of the rhetoric around it is regrettable, but we shouldn't understate how bad the law is.

It is bizarre to believe both: 1) 16-year-olds are mature enough to vote in general elections. 2) 16-year-olds should be prohibited from content adults can legally view or create.

Hello fellow travelers 🛫

Is there a terms to describe a population that has access to resources necessary for cultural improvements but widespread failure to use them? "Cultural Stasis", maybe? See e.g.: - USA could have well-designed books but doesn't - UK could have more spices in food but doesn't