Why New Internet Rules in the U.K. Are Stirring Backlash Among U.S. Politicians
GLOBAL EVENTS
On Friday, Vice President JD Vance began his visit to the U.K. with a sharp warning about what he described as online “censorship” in the country.
Why U.S. Politicians Are Clashing with Britain Over New Internet Rules
The U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which officially took effect on July 25, is stirring controversy far beyond Britain’s borders. While the law was designed to protect children from harmful online content, its sweeping requirements are drawing criticism from U.S. politicians, privacy advocates, and tech companies.
What the Law Does
The Online Safety Act requires websites and apps — even those based in the U.S. but accessible in the U.K. — to verify the ages of users. The rules apply not just to pornography but also to music with explicit lyrics, gaming platforms, and even health-related discussion boards like Reddit’s r/stopsmoking and r/STD.
To comply, platforms are asking British users to prove their age through ID uploads, credit card checks, or AI-based selfie scans. Companies that refuse risk fines of up to 10% of global revenue. Some services, such as Gab, have opted to block U.K. users entirely rather than follow the new requirements.
Why the U.S. Is Concerned
A growing number of U.S. lawmakers argue the law infringes on free expression and sets a dangerous precedent. Vice President JD Vance, who has been vocal on the issue for months, warned in London last week that the U.K. is heading down a “dark path” of online censorship. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan echoed those concerns, saying the rules could chill free speech and affect the rights of U.S. citizens and companies.
The pushback isn’t just political. American privacy advocates warn the law could disproportionately harm vulnerable groups who rely on online communities. Paige Collings of the Electronic Frontier Foundation noted that young people should be able to access information and connect without governments deciding what speech is permissible.
The Bigger Picture
The U.K. government argues the law is necessary to shield children from explicit and dangerous content, and it still enjoys broad public support — about 69% of Britons back it, according to YouGov. But critics question whether it will truly keep kids safe, noting that VPN use in the U.K. has already surged as people look for workarounds.
The law’s international reach could also become a flashpoint in U.S.-U.K. relations. With potential lawsuits looming and trade talks on the horizon, the debate over online safety versus free expression is far from over.