British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking expanded authority to regulate internet access, citing the need to protect children from evolving digital threats. The move comes after the UK government announced last month it would consider an Australian-style ban on social media for those under the age of 16.
New Powers and Potential Impacts
The proposed powers could reduce the level of parliamentary oversight applied to future internet restrictions. According to Mr. Starmer’s office, this streamlined approach is necessary to enable swift action on review findings – responding in months rather than years when technology changes.
The government as well intends to extend a ban on creating sexualized images – initially targeted at Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot – to cover a wider range of artificial intelligence programs. These measures will be introduced as an amendment to existing crime and child-protection legislation currently before the UK parliament.
Challenges and Precedents
While the stated aim is child safety, the government acknowledges potential consequences for adult privacy and access to online services. Previous attempts at tighter age-verification rules have already prompted responses from websites. Imgur, a popular image-hosting site, blocked all British users last year, displaying blank images instead.
Some pornography websites have also blocked access for British users, citing privacy concerns related to age verification. The government is now considering potential restrictions on virtual private networks (VPNs), which can be used to circumvent geographic restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK government proposing?
The UK government is proposing to grant the Prime Minister broader powers to regulate internet access, with a focus on protecting children from online risks. This includes considering a ban on social media for those under 16, similar to a proposal in Australia.
Will these measures affect adults?
The government acknowledges that these measures could have implications for adults’ privacy and ability to access online services. Previous age-verification rules have already led to websites blocking access for British users.
What is the government’s stance on VPNs?
The British government said its consultation on child safety would include potential age restrictions for VPNs, which can be used to bypass geographic restrictions imposed by websites.
As the government moves forward with these proposals, it remains to be seen how effectively they can balance child safety with the broader principles of internet freedom and access.
