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MPs give ministers powers to restrict entire Internet (www.openrightsgroup.org)

submitted 1 day ago by flamingos@feddit.uk to c/uk_politics@feddit.uk

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MPs have rejected a Lords amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would allow a social media ban for under 16s. Instead, they have voted to give ministers much broader powers which could be used to restrict Internet access to under 18s.

This will give ministers huge powers to restrict the Internet without having to pass new legislation. The powers could be used to restrict access to websites, social media platforms, apps and games of their choosing. Ministers will not have to demonstrate harm to children, effectively ripping up work carried out by Ofcom to assess services according to the risks and harms they pose.

This mean that the current or future governments could restrict content they are ideologically opposed to. For example, a Reform government could force ID checks to access LGBQT content as part of their manifesto commitment “to end trans ideology” in schools.

Ministers would also have the powers to impose digital curfews and to limit the time spent on certain platforms – for example preventing under 18s from playing games such as Minecraft, Fifa and Fortnite after a certain time.

MPs also rejected a Lords amendment to restrict access to VPNs, but gave Ministers the power to introduce such a measure.

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[–] HermitBee@feddit.uk 5 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Actually the argument is blindingly obvious, and I've alluded to it. But to spell it out:

A government granting themselves, and all future ministers, the ability to control and log who uses what websites opens the door to all sorts of possible future abuses, while practically solving very little.

Also, your opening "argument" was that this is good because too many people are morons. It's an interesting one from someone who claims to want substance over belittlement.

[–] JMorningstar@lemmy.world -4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

This is what you're failing to understand. I'm not bothered if any government wants to log every website that everyone visits. This is because I understand how networking and network security works. Anyone with half a brain can bypass anything they can come up with. If you hadn't realised, everything in life is a game of cat and mouse.

[–] HermitBee@feddit.uk 4 points 1 day ago

No, I understand that. My point is that it's a bad thing for society, despite the fact that you personally might be fine.