The UK's new digital safety laws can result in the imposition of huge fines on social media platforms. Platforms can be punished, in this way, if they don't safeguard against fraudulent, terrorism and child abuse content. It will be illegal, for example, for posts to encourage suicide or self-harm. Directing folk (especially children), to extreme pornography or recreational drugs will also be illegal (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/mar/17/social-media-companies-fines-uk-illegal-content-online-safety-act). All this seems sensible. The vast majority of large social media platforms are, however, owned by US billionaires. These owners have already convinced the current US government that any regulation of their activities, will be an attack on 'free speech'. Interestingly, their definitions of 'free speech' seem distinctly self-serving. The UKs digital safety laws (and any comparable EU legislation) will predictably be consequently be regarded as partisan interference with US business interests. Tariffs will follow?
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