ukpol
so this is the current state of UK gov's planned internet restrictions
the lords amendment proposing a sweeping under-16 ban has been thankfully voted down but the gov amendment allowing them to basically do anything in future is in
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/mar/09/proposed-ban-on-social-media-for-under-16s-rejected-by-mps
https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-eyes-sweeping-powers-to-regulate-tech-without-parliamentary-scrutiny/
re: ukpol
the new amendment allows govt to introduce restrictions on children's access to internet services (which effectively means everyone who hasn't ID verified) with no debate and minimal scrutiny. in theory what they do with this will depend on the outcomes of the consultation https://computerfairi.es/web/statuses/116161646979067688
re: ukpol
but of course even if this government, somehow, doesn't do anything too bad with its newfound powers, these powers will also remain available to any subsequent government to do with as they will
re: ukpol
and the supposed pressing need for these powers, the urgency which justifies government giving itself the ability to sidestep democratic process at a stroke, this social media-driven youth mental health crisis which requires immediate action. well it doesn't exist. it's a confected moral panic
re: ukpol
i know i've been talking about this a lot & it's really because i don't see anyone else talking about it & as i've said before i think people should be aware and pushing back against it. i don't particularly want to be the guy trying to keep on top of this. feel like i'm pissing in the wind a bit
re: ukpol
honestly though i read the parliamentary debate about these amendments and it was depressing. opposition to the government amendment was only framed in support of the lords' own massively-overreaching one, clamouring for a ban asap rather than a potential one in 2 months
so i can't imagine debate over future measures would actually make a difference either way given the set of uninformed authoritarian wankers that occupy both sides of both houses at the moment