UK will be blocked early July 😢

[rawTOP]

Sadly what’s happening in red states is not isolated to red states. UK’s Ofcom has issued really strict guidelines for implementation of the child protection act. The cost to comply makes compliance impossible. And, while I have no business presence in the UK, the legal ties between the US and the UK are close and I’d rather not risk the rather hefty fines (£18M). 

Unlike what red states are doing it looks like this will affect social media like X and Telegram since it doesn’t have the exemption for less than 1/3rd adult content. So I expect this to be a major news story in the coming months.

Oh, and the block should work better than the red state block since it’s an entire country (countries don’t exchange IP addresses like states do). 

Lastly… Voting matters! Don’t just sit there and complain. 

[Pozme1981]

I use an IP changer 

[pupHawaii]

whoa .. that's going to have a huge impact on the content creators in the UK .. and creators around the world that have a large amount of followers in the UK .. 

[PozTalkAuthor]

Problem is that this topic (privacy-violating minor protection) is not treated with the attention it deserves. 

Content creators, forum, communities and social networks... This kind of regulation won't defend minors from predators. They'll bring predators in places where minors are (it already happens). 

 

I'm hearing a lot of protest against Meta and X's moderation rules changes, many folks exiting from there; but no one seems worried (in the mass, at least) about verification age because it would mean publicly admitting to view porn - no matter if, in the end, those dystopic rules will affect everything, not just porn.

They even would judge an HIV prevention related association, as an "adult-only" site, leaving 14, 15, 16 years old vulnerable teens alone. 

 

And all of this is because no one wants responsibility on education, any longer. They want, hope, that politicians decide in their place.

 

I have even seen a person continuously "playing" with their smartphone while I was explaining the importance of digital education publicly. Were them a teacher, a cop, a parent, who knows? But it was the "pot calling kettle black" effect. 

 

I'm expecting more and more obscure scenarios, at least regarding freedom to talk about sex in appropriate Internet places. And an increase of sex offenders and romance scams, in traditional platforms which are no longer moderated. - One of my stories plot becoming real... 

 

And we cannot even discussing it in the usual politics diatribe "right or left" because we have dozens of politicians thinking that way, in any direction and color.

[Tommy Tank]

A really interesting post, @rawTOP

This is disappointing, but sadly not really surprising.  One thing I would say, over the last 10 years or so,  the UK has a history of introducing half-arsed legislation which hasn't been thought through and, when it comes to it, proves difficult or even impossible to implement.  One good example is the so-called Brexit deal, whole swathes of which just keep getting put back and put back because they can't find a way of implementing them.

I'm not saying this will be the same, but @rawTOP is right, the law has had little or no attention paid to it in the UK and it will be interesting to see what happens when it does.

For me, I have really enjoyed being part of this community, reading the posts and, of course, writing my own.  I will wait to see what happens, and in the meantime maybe try and round off a few of my stories.

[bare28]

The question is would using a TOR browser help? After all, the internet has been designed for a specific purpose which was a military one (ARPANET).

Also, @rawTOP, do you happen to have a URL for this by any chance? Does anybody happen to know if the EU plans similar things?

 

[leakyhole]

Never saw such bureaucats as Brits...and I am from EU! 

[Loveitraw]

Well damn!

This site has meant a lot over the last few years. Yes it is clearly adult oriented, but that has also meant a lot of grown up conversation alongside the naughty bits. It will be a major blow to lose access.

[bbslutuk]

I've really enjoyed being able to chat with like minded adults on here, so I'll be gutted if we lose access in the UK! 😔

However, can't control the future or worry about it, hopefully it doesn't get banned even if that appears to be the likely route and I'll make sure to enjoy whatever remaining time I have to post and chat on here 😁

[Slinglizard]

Surely a VPN would help here for anybody based in the UK?

[Slipitupme]

On 1/18/2025 at 2:52 PM, Pozme1981 said:

I use an IP changer 

What does this mean?

[NLbear]

3 hours ago, Slinglizard said:

Surely a VPN would help here for anybody based in the UK?

Exactly. Just pretend your in NL and everything will be fine. I have a free VPN that comes with my Norton antivirus software; 

[Bwccummer]

See UK maybe taking a role from some USA politicians in restrict, censor, or ban. Is the UK law just the internet or also apply to books, publications?

I do worry of how for example a book ban can go to far in information to know for health and medical such as breast cancer I guess in theory be banned book or website if keywords just see breast or other term and not breast cancer, etc.

Next wonder if law is to protect youths that may need more police or investigors to catch those that harm youths.

One thing see important in investigators or monitors is who watches the monitors? 

I remember a individual who tried to use hypnosis on a youth on a school bus and individual was a school bus monitor. Individual not able to abuse, was charged. Later in Search computer found abuse materials to bring additional charges. I didn't heard if had a trial,  if plead guilty, or convicted and serving time.

While I can see the law can be used to address a problem see need to be specific so a HIV/Aids or how to prevent STI website not be blocked.

[cockfun69]

7 hours ago, Slinglizard said:

Surely a VPN would help here for anybody based in the UK?

I haven;t used one. Is it easy .. and free/low-cost? Since presumably this will affect porn access from UK? Asking for a friend 😉 

[Pozme1981]

6 hours ago, Slipitupme said:

What does this mean?

A vpn makes out you’re in that ip not uk