An important piece of UK legislation, the Online Safety Act 2024, regulates online content and shields users—especially kids—from offensive content in an effort to make the internet a safer place.
The Online Safety Act, which was passed in October 2023, aims to make the internet “safer,” particularly for young users. The new responsibilities the bill places on social media companies and the authority it grants Ofcom to enforce them are key components.
This is a summary of the Act’s provisions.
Incitement to Violence:
Illegal Content: Under the Online Safety Bill, incitement to violence is illegal. This includes posts that encourage others to participate in riots, commit acts of violence, or engage in other criminal activities. Anything that can be interpreted as supporting, facilitating, or exalting these kinds of behaviours is forbidden and may face legal repercussions.
Platform Responsibilities: Social media companies must remove violently provocative content as soon as they are discovered. Repeated posting of such content can lead to suspension or banning from the platform.
2. Hate speech and harassment:
Prohibited Content: Posts that spread hate speech, target individuals or groups based on race, religion, or other protected characteristics, or harass others are also prohibited under the Online Safety Bill. This includes using riots or civil unrest as a context to promote hate or discrimination.
Moderation: Platforms are mandated to take swift action against hate speech, and users can be reported for violating these rules.
3. Misinformation and disinformation:
False Information: Spreading false information or conspiracy theories related to riots, especially if it could incite violence or cause harm, is also restricted. The Online Safety Bill pushes platforms to reduce the spread of misinformation, particularly content that could have real-world, dangerous consequences.
Fact-Checking: Before sharing content related to riots, it’s advisable to verify its accuracy to avoid the unintentional spreading of misinformation.
4. Free Speech:
Lawful Opinion: You are still allowed to express opinions, criticise actions, or discuss political events, including riots, as long as your content does not cross into incitement, hate speech, or misinformation. The Online Safety Bill aims to balance protecting users from harm with preserving freedom of expression, so lawful discussion and debate should not be stifled.
Context Matters: How you phrase your comments can be important. For instance, discussing the causes or consequences of riots in a way that seeks to inform or debate is generally permissible, but glorifying violence or encouraging further unrest is not.
5. Legal Consequences:
Criminal Offences: Violating these rules can lead to criminal charges, especially if your content incites violence or spreads harmful misinformation. The bill provides for fines and potential imprisonment for serious offences.
Platform Penalties: Platforms may also impose their penalties, such as suspensions or bans, for content that violates their terms of service, even if it doesn’t result in legal action.
Summary:
You can discuss and share information about riots online, but you must avoid anything that could be interpreted as inciting violence, spreading hate speech, or sharing misinformation. Always ensure your comments are lawful and respectful, and avoid sharing unverified or inflammatory content. The Online Safety Bill is designed to protect against harm while allowing space for lawful expression, so staying within these boundaries is key.
If you are not sure what is appropriate to share or say, always err on the side of caution or seek legal advice from your legal team!
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