The UK’s Online Safety Act, now in force from 25 July 2025, introduces a sweeping framework aiming to shield children from illegal content and age‑inappropriate material. Platforms must conduct risk assessments, implement robust age verification for pornography and self-harm content, and swiftly remove illegal material under Ofcom’s codes of practice. Proponents argue these measures are essential to curb youth exposure to harmful online content.
Encryption at Risk: Surveillance Under Safety
The Act mandates in-scope services including encrypted messaging to detect child sexual abuse material, even if it weakens end‑to‑end encryption. Although enforcement is postponed until technically feasible, experts and technology providers warn this could undermine privacy rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as integrated into UK law via the Human Rights Act 1998. Signal and WhatsApp leadership have warned they may exit the UK market rather than compromise encryption standards.
UK’s Online Safety Act [part 3]
The Promise: Protecting Children Online
The UK’s Online Safety Act, now in force from 25 July 2025, introduces a sweeping framework aiming to shield children from illegal content and age‑inappropriate material. Platforms must conduct risk assessments, implement robust age verification for pornography and self-harm content, and swiftly remove illegal material under Ofcom’s codes of practice. Proponents argue these measures are essential to curb youth exposure to harmful online content.
Encryption at Risk: Surveillance Under Safety
The Act mandates in-scope services including encrypted messaging to detect child sexual abuse material, even if it weakens end‑to‑end encryption. Although enforcement is postponed until technically feasible, experts and technology providers warn this could undermine privacy rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as integrated into UK law via the Human Rights Act 1998. Signal and WhatsApp leadership have warned they may exit the UK market rather than compromise encryption standards.
Protect Kids - Preserve Rights - Promote Thought.