UK's Online Safety Act Faces Backlash Amid Crackdown on Illegal Immigration via Social Media

The UK's recent Online Safety Act, aimed at curbing harmful content online and tightening measures against illegal immigration promoted on social media, has sparked contention on both sides of the Atlantic. Critics argue that the Act's stringent internet safety rules create a dystopian censorship regime, with a petition calling for its repeal garnering over 400,000 signatures within five days of enforcement. Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has deleted 10 million accounts in a bid to clean up its platforms and improve online safety.

Background and Context

The Online Safety Act, adopted in 2023, was introduced amidst mounting concerns about harmful content accessible to children online. It grants communications regulator Ofcom broad powers to moderate user-generated content, enforce age checks, and oversee platforms likely to be accessed by children. A new amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently under review in Parliament, has introduced an offense to criminalise the creation of material online that promotes or offers services violating Britain's immigration law.

In the first half of 2025, Meta deleted around 10 million accounts, primarily for impersonation, spam behavior, and fake engagement. This move is part of a broader effort to clean up the platform and protect the online safety of users, particularly minors.

Key Developments

A central provision of the Online Safety Act, requiring pornographic websites to introduce ID-based age verification, came into effect last week. The same rule applies to search engines, social platforms, and other services deemed high-risk. In response, Meta has released several new features aimed at protecting teens, including improved direct messaging protections and a system to help teens spot and report suspicious activity.

However, the Act has faced significant backlash. Critics argue that it restricts access to legal content and compromises digital privacy. A petition calling for its repeal collected over 400,000 signatures just days after its enforcement.

Implications and Reactions

The Act has become a rallying point for the right in both Britain and the US. The UK’s Reform Party, led by Nigel Farage, has promised to repeal the Online Safety Act, terming it borderline dystopian. However, they admit that they are yet to find alternative ways to protect children online.

Meanwhile, the British government maintains that such measures are necessary to protect children and clamp down on people smugglers who use social media to promote their services, including English Channel crossings, fake documentation, and accommodation.

Conclusion

As the UK grapples with the contentious issue of online safety and illegal immigration, the debate around the Online Safety Act continues to intensify. With the government insisting on the necessity of the Act, and critics decrying it as dystopian, the future of online safety and freedom in the UK hangs in balance.