this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2025
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Tech giants blocking some Ukraine and Gaza posts under new online rules (www.bbc.com)
submitted 2 months ago by throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to c/tech@programming.dev
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Social media companies ​​are blocking wide-ranging content - including posts about the wars in Ukraine and Gaza - in an attempt to comply with the UK's new Online Safety Act, BBC Verify has found.

The new legislation, which came into effect last Friday, imposes fines on social media companies and other websites which fail to protect under-18s from pornography, posts promoting self-harm, and other harmful content. In serious cases, services could be blocked in the UK.

But BBC Verify found a range of public interest content, including parliamentary debates on grooming gangs, has been restricted on X and Reddit for those who have not completed age verification checks.

Experts warn companies are risking stifling legitimate public debate by overapplying the law.

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[–] Bell@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Hey how does Lemmy plan to deal with local laws like these?

[–] remotelove@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 months ago

Some instances are just geo-blocking the UK. Honestly, the world should just block the UK right now.

[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

I guess that'll depend on the instance. The options as I see it are.

Block uk ip's themselves.

Implement checks like big sites.

Ignore it, eventually be issued with a fine, ignore that, eventually get geoblocked in the UK once ofcom get a court order. Which might take long enough for this god awful law to be amended or repealed.

[–] PhilipTheBucket@quokk.au 1 points 1 month ago

Definitely I recommend to host your instance outside of places with the shitty laws. Not sure how much that'll do for you, but it'll at least buy you some time.

[–] ozoned@piefed.social 2 points 1 month ago

. All good over here!