This capability would enable the UK government to snoop on citizen communications as it pleases. At present, parliament is debating whether the online safety measure should allow the government to bypass encryption using device-side scanning. Signal, a private messaging service, said it will “absolutely, 100% walk” if the bill undermines its ability to use encryption. Starting to sound totalitarian? Signal Ready to Walk If Bill Undermines Encryption The bill may also require online service providers to use government-approved software to search through user content deemed related to terrorism or child abuse. The law will also create new criminal offenses, including a “false communications offense.” Naturally, people are concerned about who determines what’s “false,” and whether the vague formulations might enable the UK government to leverage it for corrupt purposes.

The act will impact citizens’ ability to communicate privately and place the burden of enforcement on relevant tech and communications companies. It’s set to come into force in autumn of 2023. The UK’s Online safety Bill was first proposed by Boris Johnson and is currently going through parliament. Without clear definitions of what constitutes “harmful” content, the law could easily lead to arbitrary and widespread internet censorship in the United Kingdom, of all places.

The legislation also includes provisions for big tech companies to remove legal but “harmful” content in order to shield adult users. Signal, an encrypted messaging service with roughly 40 million users, has said it will shut down UK operations if the bill undermines end-to-end encryption.ĭespite being touted as a child protection measure, critics say the measure will ultimately undermine citizens’ right to private conversations. Aside from being the center of much political debate, the act has been harshly criticized by privacy advocates. The UK’s Online Safety Bill is a contentious law that will affect big tech and private individuals alike.

Signal web