#online safety act

[the-vampire-fish-queen]

The UK needs some help with there own Online Safety Act (UK KOSA) that going to end up shutting down both small and big sites starting in March 2025.

It's already starting a online cycling community web forum with over 60K users shutting down because of the UK Online Safety Act (UK KOSA).

Link to more info here

"Reading https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/time-for-tech-firms-to-act-uk-online-safety-regulation-comes-into-force/ and we're done... we fall firmly into scope, and I have no way to dodge it. The act is too broad, and it doesn't matter that there's never been an instance of any of the proclaimed things that this act protects adults, children and vulnerable people from... the very broad language and the fact that I'm based in the UK means we're covered.

The act simply does not care that this site and platform is run by an individual, and that I do so philanthropically without any profit motive (typically losing money), nor that the site exists to reduce social loneliness, reduce suicide rates, help build meaningful communities that enrich life.

The act only cares that is it "linked to the UK" (by me being involved as a UK native and resident, by you being a UK based user), and that users can talk to other users... that's it, that's the scope.

I can't afford what is likely tens of thousand to go through all the legal hoops here over a prolonged period of time, the site itself barely gets a few hundred in donations each month and costs a little more to run... this is not a venture that can afford compliance costs... and if we did, what remains is a disproportionately high personal liability for me, and one that could easily be weaponised by disgruntled people who are banned for their egregious behaviour (in the years running fora I've been signed up to porn sites, stalked IRL and online, subject to death threats, had fake copyright takedown notices, an attempt to delete the domain name with ICANN... all from those whom I've moderated to protect community members)... I do not see an alternative to shuttering it.

The conclusion I have to make is that we're done... Microcosm, LFGSS, the many other communities running on this platform... the risk to me personally is too high, and so I will need to shutter them all.

What and When

So here's the statement...

On Sunday 16th March 2025 (the last day prior to the Act taking effect) I will delete the virtual servers hosting LFGSS and other communities, and effectively immediately end the approximately 300 small communities that I run, and the few large communities such as LFGSS.

It's been a good run, I've administered internet forums since 1996 having first written my own in Perl to help fans of music bands to connect with each other, and I then contributed to PHP forum software like vBulletin, Vanilla, and phpBB, before finally writing a platform in Go that made it cost efficient enough to bring interest based communities to so many others, and expand the social good that comes from people being connected to people.

Approximately 28 years and 9 months of providing almost 500 forums in total to what is likely a half a million people in that time frame... the impact that these forums have had on the lives of so many cannot be understated.

The peak of the forums has been the last 5 years, we've plateaued around 275k monthly users across the almost 300 websites on multiple instances of the platform that is Microcosm, though LFGSS as a single community probably peaked in the 2013-2018 time period when it alone was hitting numbers in excess of 50k monthly users.

The forums have delivered marriages, births, support for those who have passed (cancer being the biggest reason), people reunited with stolen bikes, travel support, work support, so much joy and happiness and memorable experiences... but it's also been directly cited by many as being the reason that they are here today, the reason they didn't commit suicide or self-harm. It's help people get through awful relationship breakups, and helped people overcome incredible challenges with their health.

It's devastating to just... turn it off... but this is what the Act forces a sole individual running so many social websites for a public good to do.

I don't know where to recommend... I know lots of people have moved small groups to places like Signal and WhatsApp, and that some people are on the fediverse, and some are in other websites and groups.

There is no central place that could take us all and preserve the very special thing we had... so it's done.

This is a really special place... the people are special... I guess the next 3 months will be a time of sharing what it meant, and of groups figuring out where they want to go next.

Love you all forever, it's been amazing to be a part of it all, I never thought I'd touch the lives of so many people by running websites, and in turn to give so much reason to my own life. In the end, the person I save most was likely myself.

Dee"

This is very bad and the compliance requirements will affect alot of websites based in the UK and Ofcom seems very out of its depth.

The whole thing is an unworkable mess and will collapse under its own weight. There also alot of privacy and legal issues with it.

This may also affect Tumblr and force the site to leave the UK.

Please spread awareness!

[thefreethoughtprojectcom]

Ironically, KOSA is likely to actually increase the risks to children, because it will prevent them from accessing online resources about topics like addiction, eating disorders, and bullying.

Read More: https://thefreethoughtproject.com/information-war/last-minute-update-to-the-kids-online-safety-act-still-fails-to-protect-kids-or-adults-online

#TheFreeThoughtProject

[lokiinmediasideblog]

Well fuck

[granolora]

Been reading up on the UK based "Online Safety Act", passed in late 2023, which Ofcom is currently writing rules and regulations for, since I was worried it might be like KOSA, but it thankfully appears to be written in a way that actually protects LGBTQIA+ children from discrimination and abuse online, and even calls attention to the fact that black, asian and minority LGBTQIA+ children often receive even more abuse than their white counterparts.

(Source: Volume 3 of the second Ofcom consultation on the act [https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/protecting-children-from-harms-online])

It's refreshing to see that our government hasn't tried to use this act to reduce freedoms for children who are trying to figure out who they are, unlike with the US based KOSA.

Also, to the people I have seen claiming that this act is overreaching by applying to non-UK companies, if you actually read the gov.uk website, it states the the regulations will only apply to companies with "a significant number of UK users, if the UK is a target market or it is capable of being accessed by UK users and there is a material risk of significant harm to such users." which I personally believe is fair.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer#:~:text=The%20Online%20Safety%20Act%202023,users'%20safety%20on%20their%20platforms.)

All things considered, good job Ofcom.

[head-post]

New UK rules to hold social media companies accountable for their content

The UK Online Safety Act imposes new obligations on social media companies, making them responsible for their content.

The bill came into force on 26 October 2023, but will take full effect next year. UK media regulator Ofcom will then monitor its implementation and take action against companies that fail to comply.

The recent outbreak of violence in the UK has been linked to the spread of misinformation on social media. This sparked protests across the country and resulted in numerous arrests and detentions, as well as significant property damage across the UK.

Following the stabbing attack in the English seaside town of Southport on 29 July, when 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana killed three children and injured 10 others, radical groups coordinated protests on social media platforms, spreading speculative news and calling for protests against migrants and Muslims.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinted at tougher measures if social media companies did not work harder to remove harmful content, accusing them of inciting violence.

The new law would criminalise the dissemination of false or threatening content intended to cause psychological or physical harm. It will also impose new duties on social media platforms to remove illicit content such as incitement to racial hatred and criminal activity.

Companies that fail to comply can be fined up to £18 million ($24 million) or 10 per cent of their worldwide revenue, whichever is greater. Senior executives can also face criminal prosecution if they fail to comply with Ofcom’s information requirements.

Read more HERE

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The early, motivating animus of the Tories’ Online Safety Act was envious rage at Nick Clegg’s escape to become a tanned and wealthy Facebook lobbyist. -Maria Farrell

[shameeater]

The end of online privacy

Now, this isn't something I usually post about from my silly goofy k1nk account (reminder to minors to not follow or scroll this acount).

But I have more followers on here than main, and this is extremely important. Like, scary shit.

This applies to everyone. If you're reading this? It's going to effect you.

I'm sure perhaps some of you have seen around about a this thing going around... KOSA, is one of the ways it's being referred to.

If this shit passes, lemme tell you...

LGBTQ+ adults and minors seeking help and community,

people looking for abortions,

people organizing protests,

anyone using their free speech to voice concerns about injustices, 

even FAN ARTISTS...

Even people reading fan fiction...

And for the purposes of where I'm posting from... people sharing and enjoying their k1nks, wanting to post things with safety and privacy... smut artists and writers, people even LOOKING for smut...

It's all gone. No privacy.

They'll have your face, your name, your age, where you live.

You'll need an ID to use any US-based platform, even if you're NOT in the United States.

Instead of dooming, here's what you can do to stop this shit in it's tracks 👍

Here is a website where you can sign a letter just by filling out a form, (it takes less than 30 seconds) and where you can call reps.

I HIGHLY suggest leaving calls if you're able, and if you have phone shyness, do this after 6pm, since it will leave messages instead.

I'm shy, but I did it!

Here's another letter to sign, takes less than 20 seconds.

Here is a form you can fill out sharing how the social media has POSITIVELY effected you.

Share all of this with as many people as you can. Our safety, freedom, joy, and protection online is at risk more than ever.

(Here is the thread where I found all of this information.)

STAY SAFE!

[fullhalalalchemist]

🚨KOSA is back and being pushed heavily in congress right now

I really hate to do this, but KOSA, the bill that is a mass censorship and surveillance bill that will specifically censor all LGBT content online to "protect kids", is back.

KOSA advocates have brought in support from Elon Musk (I wish I was making this up) and are trying to get him to get Donald Trump to speak out in support of it. (And they lie and tell us it's not an anti-queer bill 🙄). The reason so is because the holdouts that are stopping this from passing are...republicans. It's GOP House leaders Steve Scalise and Mike Johnson. If they succeed and put this in an end of year spending bill, it will be near impossible to get it out and it will most likely be passed. Pro-KOSA advocates were on the hill today pushing hard to pass it. They have a lot of support behind them. There is only two weeks left in congress, so if they don't succeed, it's over.

The ONLY way this bill has stalled so much so far is because of calls driven to congress. It has worked and can still work. Please, spread this as much as you can and call House leadership and spread the word! You don't have to be from their district. You can pretend to be GOP. It doesn't matter, just call and voice your opposition. Trump and Musk clearly have a lot of sway over these people and I'm really scared they will succeed at the last minute!!

Here are their numbers: Scalise: 202-225-3015 Johnson: 202-225-2777

If you don't know what to say, use either call script! It takes less than a minute, I swear.

SOURCE: https://x.com/omaseddiq/status/1866621865793314845?t=9pJm-QRdqJg30E_rVuhINw&s=19

[iri-desky]

GET KOSA TRENDING.

STOP SCROLLING NOW!

AS OF FEBRUARY 21ST, 2024, WE GOT FIVE DAYS UNTIL THE DAY OF DECISION OF THE KOSA BILL, WHICH WILL CAUSE MASS CENSORSHIP ROUND THE INTERNET IF PASSED. WE NEED EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND CONTRIBUTE. I'M NOT GIVING UP ON YOU ALL.

(IMPORTANT UPDATE: Kosa will not necessarily pass on the 26th. It only has the support to pass in Senate, and we STILL HAVE TIME. That being said, time is of the essence.)

WE'RE DOWN TO THE WIRE BUT WE CAN'T GIVE UP YET. IF WE GIVE UP, EVERYTHING IS OVER. IF WE DON'T, AT LEAST WE HAVE A CHANCE.

I'M THE ONE WHO SOUNDED THE ALARM, AND I'M NOT GOING TO CURL UP AND DIE YET.

Reblog this post in every LEGAL way you can under the Tumblr guidelines with the appropriate tags. TELL AND TAG EVERYONE YOU KNOW, then add the tags to see below... and more if you can think of any complying.

Visit badinternetbills.com if you want to find a way to defeat KOSA. It WILL NOT take much of your time. Reblog with any other information or sources, too-- but make sure to reblog if you can.

Reblog if you support lgbtq+ content.

Reblog if you support questioning queer youth and/or abused youth getting the information they need.

Reblog if you support Ao3 and/or other sites that wholeheartedly preserve talentedly made media.

Reblog if you're going to repost this on other sites than Tumblr and spread the word across Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest, or elsewhere, alongside the link to badinternetbills.com.

Reblog if you think KOSA is unfair and shouldn't be anyone's problem -- including the adults ALL OVER THE DAMN EARTH forced to face the mass censorship it causes because "think of the American Children!".

Reblog if you support internet activism and Palestine.

Reblog if you hate fascism or censorship, and don't want actually serious and helpful conversations censored on the internet.

Reblog if you value the internet in any way at all whatsoever.

CHECK THIS PETITION, TOO! https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-kosa?recruiter=1331807538&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf&recruited_by_id=57368c40-d0fd-11ee-98f7-2175430f819f&share_bandit_exp=initial-36809664-en-US

(Also, please reblog with at least "stop kosa" as a tag and not "kosa". I made the mistake of not adding just "kosa" as a tag...)

We won't let this stand any longer. Let's start a riot and get this trending.

[bunnie-the-idiot]

the kids online safety act passed the u.s. senate.

long story short (for anyone who hadn't heard of this before) the kids online safety act, aka kosa, is a bill that will censor online content and resources for lgbtq+ matters, reproductive healthcare, activism (INCLUDING PALESTINE AND LIKELY OTHER CRISES GOING ON LIKE IN CONGO OR SUDAN), mental health, etc. everywhere--its effects likely won't be contained to just america.

today, july 30th, 2024, the senate passed it 91-3. it has officially moved to the house of representatives.

is this a pretty massive setback? yes. do you have every right to be scared, sad, angry, or whatever else about this happening? absolutely. but should you give up hope completely? NO!

even though kosa passed the senate, the house is on break/august recess at the moment. we have around an entire month to get emails, calls, and faxes in to house reps, maybe more depending on when they decide to vote on it.

should it pass the house and get signed into law, we still have a whole 18 months before it actually goes into effect. this is plenty of time for digital rights orgs (e.g. fight for the future, the electronic frontier foundation) and other groups that oppose it to file a lawsuit against it. even if, worst-case scenario, it flies through the house immediately after the recess ends, we can still fight this up to march 2026.

so, yes, remember what's at stake here, but also remember that it's not over yet. we lost a battle, not the war.

below are some resources to learn more about kosa and how to contact your reps (first link) + a page that lets you directly contact progressive house reps, sign an open letter opposing the bill, and view others' testimonies against it (second link):

FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT.

[elhopper1sm]

If you wanna protect AO3 or character ai. Or Wattpad. Or Tumblr. Or discord. Or even the right for undocumented people and minors to use the fucking Internet reblog this I swear to God. Reblog this and reblog as many KOSA posts as you can go on their website and contact your Representatives. Do it. Do it. Do it.

[audristarzz]

KOSA PASSES SENATE 7/30/24

Kosa has unfortunately passed the Senate on a 91-3 vote. I want this to be clear, It’s not going into effect, it still has to get to the House but I believe there will be a break for the month of August which gives us A WHOLE MONTH!! to call your HOUSE representatives and tell them to vote NO on Kosa. It’s not over yet so many people told their senators and representatives that they didn’t want KOSA. We can do it again, PLEASE do not panic and give up!! I know it’s scary I’m very scared right now myself but if we go silent that’s how it’s going to pass the House and get signed to the president. Let’s try to stop that from happening!!!

Call your house representatives!!!!there is more opposition in the House, we can stop it. BLOW UP THEIR PHONES!! edit: hi everyone!! I’ve made a change to the way I worded this post, I would like to apologize about the confusion I may have caused. When I had meant by “barley passed the Senate” i meant it as a way of saying how so many people voiced their concerns for so long (I first ever found out about Kosa on 7/19/23) which lead it just now getting to the Senate floor for a vote due to the pushback and feedback they had gotten. I apologize if 1. I had confused anyone and 2. If I did not word this right lmao :,) keep calling you’re all doing great!! - audri⭐️

[certainunkownlove2]

we have done it!! We have fucking done it!! We killed kosa!!

im so proud of everyone for coming together and defending that horrid bill. Thank you for your help

Edit: we won the battle big the war but a win is still a win

[gilamasan]

KOSA'S BACK

I'm not going to leave this unmentioned as the news isn't doing enough to warn people. The short of it is, the bill which disguises itself as a means to make the web safer was written by The Heritage Foundation to give the FTC full authority on what's deemed safe on the web. Under the new administration, it will be used to censor LGBT content. We know this was the point, as its proponents have shared this exact plan. It can still be beaten if called and emailed their senators, making it clear what harm the bill will do I'll link pages that can give you a line to your lawmakers, a way to write to them, and also a petition to sign.. The former only takes two minutes, and the latter has a pre-written script if you need it. This is more than important enough for your time. Even if you're in a red state, some conservatives oppose this bill beleive it will silence conservative voices too, so if you think that line of reasoning would work better on them, go for it!

[tobysbliss]

“KOSA wont pass, it got rejected the last two times!”

It wasn’t passed because people spoke out against it. People called and emailed their senators. So, CALL / EMAIL YOUR SENATORS. MAKE IT KNOWN THAT WE DO NOT WANT THIS BILL TO PASS!

“But its unconstitutional-“ There’ve been multiple bills passed before that are unconstitutional. This will not be any different to them, they do not care.

STOP KOSA!!!