MPs and peers are concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the operational details of the Online Safety Bill. According to Conservative Peer Lord Moylan, the power to make decisions will be in the hands of the independent regulator Ofcom, leaving lawmakers in the dark. Lord Moylan expressed his doubts about the potential negative impact of the bill on the UK’s reputation as a hub for technological innovation. He criticized the idea of giving power to “independent and unaccountable” regulators, stating that it goes against democratic principles.
The bill, hailed as the first of its kind in the world, grants Ofcom the authority to regulate the internet. If the bill becomes law, social media platforms will be responsible for actively monitoring and removing harmful illegal content, such as revenge pornography, sex trafficking, and cyberstalking. However, messaging service providers like WhatsApp and Signal have threatened to withdraw their services from the UK due to the bill’s lack of explicit protection for encryption. They argue that the bill may compromise user privacy by allowing for proactive scanning of private messages on end-to-end encrypted communication services.
Lord Moylan questioned the proportionality and effectiveness of regulating the entire internet to address specific issues, such as protecting children. He also highlighted the seriousness of tech companies’ threats to withdraw services from the UK. Lord Moylan warned that the UK could isolate itself like China behind its internet firewall if it continues down this path.
Lord Moylan challenged the assertion that innocent people should have nothing to hide, stating that defending liberties is crucial. He raised concerns about potential encroachments on privacy, such as routine surveillance of phone calls and unauthorized access to private spaces.
He also criticized the Online Safety Bill for its reliance on regulators to make detailed rules. Lord Moylan argued that this approach undermines democratic principles, as regulators are not accountable to the public in the same way that lawmakers are. He emphasized the need for a system where decisions are made by elected representatives rather than independent regulators like Ofcom.
Lord Moylan concluded by calling for a return to a non-regulated state that operates within the framework of the law. He advocated for less state control and a focus on upholding democratic principles.