UK aims to be "the safest place in world to be online"

[HEXUS]

Plans for new safety laws to tackle cyber-bullying, exploitation, extremism and more.

Read more.

[Tabbykatze]

Does that read like "If it's unacceptable offline then it's acceptable online"?

I think it's the placement of the unacceptable xD

[Spud1]

The UK is becoming a less and less desirable place to live it seems This may well be headlined as being about protecting the vulnerable, but we all know that this will be used as another excuse to attack the freedom of the internet, encryption, and technology in general.

A far better approach would be to educate people and yes, let them make mistakes...sure its more expensive, takes longer and ultimately means some people will lose some money or get hurt - but i'd rather that then continue to erode our freedoms The only area where I can see a half argument is for child safety - but that is up to the parents IMO, not the government.

[Corky34]

All they need to do now is to define what "unacceptable" and "harm" means in legal terms.

Also why do our MPs think the internet begins and ends with the largest social media firms, it's almost like they don't understand what the internet is.

[Ozaron]

"Help, people are expressing themselves and acting online the way they have a right to in the real world, and I don't know what to do about it! Oh please will the government save me?"

All they need to do now is to define what "unacceptable" "harm" means in legal terms.

Also why do our MPs think the internet begins and ends with the largest social media firms, it's almost like they don't understand what the internet is.

It's probably because that's where their community talks to them, where they talk to their community, and one of few places they ever need or visit. Besides Google.

[FRISH]

On one hand I think more should be done. Way too many people are disgustingly hateful online, and that behaviour would have stronger repercussions in the real world. On the other hand I'm worried how it will actually play out. People nowadays seem to take a difference of opinion as a personal attack that they need to be protected from, but somehow are allowed to themselves spread hate speech.

Right now I don't think the online world is entirely healthy, but I'm not sure what the ultimate solution is.

[LSG501]

While I approve of trying to 'clean up' the internet it's just not going to happen using laws etc, you need to educate people first, primarily the parents who just like with the porn filter don't seem to want to take any responsibility for 'protecting' their children online etc. The parents then need to take responsibility of 'teaching' their children how to behave etc... mind you out my way they're pretty useless at that in the real world too in most cases..

And the 'checks' to see if you're really who you say you are scream of another privacy and tracking nightmare.... considering all the uproar over misuse of data from tracking users that facebook is getting we keep hearing that UK government wants to add more 'tracking' onto the web....

You also have to laugh at the MP's trying to do stuff, their average age is 50 (according to google), so in truth they're not exactly going to be 'current' with how the internet etc works in most cases.

[The Hand]

I want U.S style freedom of speech in the U.K and elsewhere, so this is a big step in the wrong direction for me. Their intrepretation of "safe" and "unacceptable" will always be open to what is politically expediant to that particular moment in time, in my view. It's almost as if American style freedom of speech is considered a dangerous, anarchic concept now, which should be discouraged and stifled at every opportunity.. Not a good sign of things to come imo.

[aidanjt]

I want U.S style freedom of speech in the U.K and elsewhere, so this is a big step in the wrong direction for me. Their intrepretation of "safe" and "unacceptable" will always be open to what is politically expediant to that particular moment in time, in my view. It's almost as if American style freedom of speech is considered a dangerous, anarchic concept now, which should be discouraged and stifled at every oppurtunity.. Not a good sign of things to come imo.

I agree completely. The very first thought that entered my head when I read the headline was "because that doesn't sound at all ominous". My opinion did not improve by reading the article itself.

[EN1R0PY]

Anyone remember when a UKIP 'politician' had the police force a twitter user take down negative comments? That was before they pass a law that gives them the right to decide what is and is not acceptable online. Great firewall of UK here we come! Child protection is easy to deal with: parents should parent their children! Shocking concept for many I know.

[Wolfclaw]

The Great UK firewall, Data Filtration And Analysis Center in the basement of GCHQ.
A secure and access restrictive environment that upholds the value of law and due process, while protecting you from the scum of the earth by cutting you off from the rest of the internet.

Don't believe me .. look at section 3, paragrah 4 of the latest government spooks document.

Oh you don't have access .. well I wonder why, it's not like it's a secret ?

[Ttaskmaster]

Anyone remember when a UKIP 'politician' had the police force a twitter user take down negative comments? That was before they pass a law that gives them the right to decide what is and is not acceptable online.

Having seen what toxic melting pots of malice most places turn into when they're unregulated, or just allowed to run free, I no longer trust sites to self-police.
HEXUS is one of those few places that do it well and in very carefully balanced measure.

The problem is that, if sites cannot do it themselves, it must fall to the government. Free speech is about the government not persecuting you merely for expressing your opinion... but that does not extend to the populace. In the real world, if you start spouting racist drivel or something, people can quite readily turn around and kick your teeth in... online, your account gets banned, so you just use your VPN to sign up with a new one. There are usually ways around it.

Someone has to decide and someone has to police it..... but since we cannot have people policing themselves, due to both the apathy and abuse such roles have proven themselves open to, we're left with no choice.

[peterb]

Having seen what toxic melting pots of malice most places turn into when they're unregulated, or just allowed to run free, I no longer trust sites to self-police.
HEXUS is one of those few places that do it well and in very carefully balanced measure.

We do our best!

[Iota]

Also why do our MPs think the internet begins and ends with the largest social media firms, it's almost like they don't understand what the internet is.

They don't understand anything that involves technology, period.

[johnroe]

I think this idea of online security and a sort of moral code could be taught in schools. Most children will easily outwit their parents technically. Also I dislike this idea of spying on children which a few adopt. I think extremist, violent material should be removed from say YT and popular sites. Data collection should be regulated(even NHS sells I believe).

I think everything is restructuring and the internet is seen as a threat to the established orders. I read the 'Cyberpunk manifesto' the other day, it's of it's time.

[Biscuit]

So this is the new angle is it. Little bit more fluffy on the outside than the last one, just as bitter and crooked under the fur.