'Overreach' UK and US right claim rules stifle freedom of speech

The Online Safety Act has been highly anticipated. Amid mounting concerns about the ease of accessing harmful content online, rules were drawn up to force social platforms to protect children from posts and videos that incite hatred or encourage suicide, self-harm or eating disorders - which finally came into force last month.

- Dan Milmo

But within days the new approach to keeping children safe online had become a rallying point for the right in both Britain and the US. Last week Nigel Farage, leader of Reform, was embroiled in a furious row with a Labour government minister after vowing to repeal the legislation.

Meanwhile, concerned Republicans held face-to-face meetings with politicians and the UK communications regulator, Ofcom. And in Australia, which is preparing to ban under-16s from social media, the impact of the new UK law is being closely watched.

Some experts say the inherent tensions in the act - between taking down harmful content swiftly and preserving free speech - are likely to bubble away.

Zia Yusuf, a senior Reform figure, said: "So much of the act is massive overreach and plunges this country into a borderline dystopian state."

Reform's attack led to Labour delivering a populist-style low blow, with a senior minister accusing Farage of siding with the notorious paedophile and late children's TV presenter Jimmy Savile.

Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, said: "Make no mistake about it, if people like Jimmy Savile were alive today, he'd be perpetrating his crimes online. And Nigel Farage is saying that he's on their side." Kyle was referring to provisions in the act that seek to prevent children being groomed via messaging apps.

Farage said the technology secretary's words were "disgusting" and demanded an apology. "To say that I would do anything that would in any way aid and abet people like Jimmy Savile, it's so below the belt," he added.