UK online safety law

[paulrbarnard]

Yes seen there is another thread started yesterday. Ignore this one


Mods, what is the forums position in U.K. Online Safety Law? Is U.K. Workshop, being US owned, subject to this?

A quick scan of the legislation suggests it would be subject as it is targeted at the U.K. if it is it seems some of the off-topic2 chats would be problematic.

 

[Jake]

if it is it seems some of the off-topic2 chats would be problematic.

That seems like scaremongering to me - which specific threads do you think contravene that list of problematic content.

 

[paulrbarnard]

That seems like scaremongering to me - which specific threads do you think contravene that list of problematic content.

There are many examples of comments around gender, race, politics, wars. All those topics could fall into the areas of interest to the act if someone has an issue with what’s posted. The problem is the site has a number of hoops to jump through to comply and it only takes one complaint to Ofcom to result in a lot of work for the site owners. This is a shades of grey/opinion based act not a clearly worded guidance on what is OK vs illegal.

 

[Jake]

There are many examples of comments around gender, race, politics, wars. All those topics could fall into the areas of interest to the act if someone has an issue with what’s posted. The problem is the site has a number of hoops to jump through to comply and it only takes one complaint to Ofcom to result in a lot of work for the site owners. This is a shades of grey/opinion based act not a clearly worded guidance on what is OK vs illegal.

This is all being really hysterically overblown (no doubt with some PR backing from big tech who really want to avoid responsibility for this). The harms this is aimed at are serious ones which wouldn't be tolerated in OTII or anywhere else here.

 

[paulrbarnard]

This is all being really hysterically overblown (no doubt with some PR backing from big tech who really want to avoid responsibility for this). The harms this is aimed at are serious ones which wouldn't be tolerated in OTII or anywhere else here.

Have you read the act?

 

[Jake]

Have you read the act?

Yes, and the guidance. I did so after I saw reference to the LFGSS panic attack somewhere else.

 

[paulrbarnard]

Yes, and the guidance. I did so after I saw reference to the LFGSS panic attack somewhere else.

With that reading in mind how do you see some of the threads with comments on immigration, war in Ukraine, assisted dying, misogyny, sexism and sharpening? The mods tend to act quickly but, probably due to the age of the members, a lot of content that would have my daughters seething still exists. I have to be careful sharing the jokes with my wife…. It’s all about degrees of course but the issue is that is left wide open for interpretation and the bulk of these types of investigations, where Ofcom is involved, are triggered but “offended from Barking”.

 

[Jake]

I just don't see any of that engaging any interest from anyone (in terms of any alleged breach of the Act, rather than participation). The risks are microscopic. At a guess, the LFGSS guy's real concern is that his were deliberately unmoderated forums with image uploads, so potentially a more substantial CSA image risk. But I still think he overreacted, maybe used it as a bit of an excuse to jettison some (freebie) workload.

 

[paulrbarnard]

I just don't see any of that engaging any interest from anyone.

Excellent so you won’t be reporting anything but there are many people who are easily offended or who become offended to cause problems or get their own way. Many forums like this are potential at risk. Perhaps off topic 2 will be the first victim if the forum owners want to avoid risk. I hope not but time will tell.

 

[Jake]

You seem like you want to engineer a result. If there is a problem (which there isn't in the real world in my view) then it's with the DM facility and/or image upload.

 

[paulrbarnard]

You seem like you want to engineer a result. If there is a problem (which there isn't in the real world in my view) then it's with the DM facility and/or image upload.

Interested bystander. I have no axe to grind just looking for opinions. In many years of participating here I’ve amassed a handful of DM so really have no idea why you consider that facility to be problematic

 

[Jake]

In many years of participating here I’ve amassed a handful of DM so really have no idea why you consider that facility to be problematic

Potential abuse for exchanging CSA images (etc).

 

[Rhossydd]

... If there is a problem (which there isn't in the real world in my view) then it's with the DM facility and/or image upload.

I think that that unacceptable image uploads can be spotted and removed fast enough that it wouldn't be a problem (given good moderation). URLs could pose a greater risk and be trickier to police, especiallyt ones that have been shortened so the destination can't be seen.

The DM system on small forums is the most problematic in my view. It effectively offers a private email and file exchange service, hidden under the forum and which the owners and moderators have no oversight or control over. Easy to see how it could be seriously abused.
Dropping it could be awkward and make some 'features' of the forum harder to use, particularly private sales.

 

[Jake]

I mean I think the risk is really small, why would they use DM here when apparently CSA is readily exchanged on X for instance (never seen any so that's other peoples' anecdotal criticisms of its new 'free speech' anti-moderation stance).

But if one were going to overreact to a whipped-up storm of concern, that'd be top for the chop.

 

[Noel]

With that reading in mind how do you see some of the threads with comments on immigration, war in Ukraine, assisted dying, misogyny, sexism and sharpening? The mods tend to act quickly but, probably due to the age of the members, a lot of content that would have my daughters seething still exists. I have to be careful sharing the jokes with my wife…. It’s all about degrees of course but the issue is that is left wide open for interpretation and the bulk of these types of investigations, where Ofcom is involved, are triggered but “offended from Barking”.

There is indeed the case at times. Many posters are still living in the 70s, still giggling at Chubby Brown, Manning et al "humour". It's 2024 and I would hope the world has moved on. Happy to help see that happen.

 

[paulrbarnard]

There is indeed the case at times. Many posters are still living in the 70s, still giggling at Chubby Brown, Manning et al "humour". It's 2024 and I would hope the world has moved on. Happy to help see that happen.

Still living in the past yourself Noel. Welcome to 2025

 

[Noel]

Still living in the past yourself Noel. Welcome to 2025

Only 16 days, bit better than 50 odd years.
: )

 

[Spectric]

If the Uk continues on it's current trajectory it will be a very boring uninspiring place to live where all communication will be via electronic media so as it can go through censorship and people will cease to actually talk to each other in case they say something that has been banned. There is some major issue with how some newer generations think, we used to be able to accept humour because we understood that was what it was and not sometime offensive or aimed at oneself. We could also take the mick out of each other and ourselves and just laugh, again we could read a situation and just accept it as nothing more. I think of how many good comedians we have had that have given us a laugh and de stressed us, they must be going the way of the dinosaurs because now as soon as they say anything someone somewhere will take offence because people now are just so delicate and do not understand how to relax. This is probably why so many no longer go to work as they cannot handle a social situation such as being at work and we wonder why there is some much anxiety and people on chill pills.

Lets not forget the likes of Jasper and Mike Harding !