X Warns Online Safety Act Threatens Free Speech

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has raised serious concerns about the UK’s Online Safety Act, warning that it poses a significant threat to free speech and requires urgent revisions.

Under the new regulations, which came into force last week, digital platforms including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X-as well as websites hosting adult content, must implement strict age verification measures to ensure users are over 18.

While acknowledging the intent behind the legislation, X cautioned that its broad regulatory scope could undermine civil liberties. “When lawmakers approved these measures, they made a conscientious decision to increase censorship in the name of ‘online safety’,” the platform said. “It is fair to ask if UK citizens were equally aware of the trade-off being made.”

The company criticized the government’s timeline for implementing compliance measures, saying it was unnecessarily rushed. Despite adhering to the requirements, X claimed platforms still faced threats of enforcement and fines, pressures that could lead to excessive content moderation and suppression of legitimate speech.

X added: “A balanced approach is the only way to protect individual liberties, encourage innovation and safeguard children. It’s safe to say that significant changes must take place to achieve these objectives in the UK.”

The UK government rejected the criticism, with a spokesperson stating that suggestions the Act endangers free speech are “demonstrably false.” The spokesperson added, “The law places clear and unequivocal duties on platforms to both protect freedom of expression and ensure children’s safety online.”

Public backlash over the new rules continues to grow, particularly regarding age verification systems that require users to upload personal data. A petition demanding the repeal of the law has already gathered more than 468,000 signatures.

Despite this, the government maintained that it has “no plans” to reverse the legislation.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also condemned the rules, comparing them to “state suppression of genuine free speech.” Technology Secretary Peter Kyle fired back, saying those seeking to scrap the Act were “on the side of predators”, a comment Farage called “absolutely disgusting” and demanded an apology for.

Meanwhile, communications regulator Ofcom confirmed it has opened an investigation into four companies operating 34 pornography websites to assess their compliance with the new age-check rules.

As debate around the Online Safety Act intensifies, questions continue to mount over the balance between protecting vulnerable users and preserving fundamental freedoms in the digital age.