> The government will no longer let social media giants decide what constitutes “legal but harmful” content, as it revises the Online Safety Bill.
I don't trust any government to decide (as they would lean towards quashing dissent or criticism), nor do I trust tech companies to decide (as they would lean towards arbitrary manifestations of their own cultures, usually based in specific parts of the US, and usually ignorant of cultures outside the US). The sensibilities of what constitute 'free speech' is not universal.
What's worked somewhat well in the UK is our regulatory bodies, such as Ofcom and Ofgem. I won't say they're perfect but they tend to strike a balance between companies' interests and protecting the public. If you're looking to define and regular 'legal but harmful' then it's better to shift that responsibility of defining and enforcing to such a body.
I am with you. However note that Ofcom will be the regulator in this case. The issue that concerns people is that many powers are reserved for the Secretary of State. Also what consititutes 'legal but harmful' is to be defined in secondary legislation.
> balance between companies' interests and protecting the public
I'm not paying tax money so they strike a balance between tax payers' interests and companies interests. I'd rather vote for a government fully in line with mines.
I don't trust any government to decide (as they would lean towards quashing dissent or criticism), nor do I trust tech companies to decide (as they would lean towards arbitrary manifestations of their own cultures, usually based in specific parts of the US, and usually ignorant of cultures outside the US). The sensibilities of what constitute 'free speech' is not universal.
What's worked somewhat well in the UK is our regulatory bodies, such as Ofcom and Ofgem. I won't say they're perfect but they tend to strike a balance between companies' interests and protecting the public. If you're looking to define and regular 'legal but harmful' then it's better to shift that responsibility of defining and enforcing to such a body.