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   Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Wednesday, 05-Mar-2025 08:47:20 JST Jay Baker

   The Online Safety Act from Blairite Sir Keir Starmer's UK government is (intentionally or otherwise) forcing us to a point where web content is controlled almost entirely by big tech companies who are opposed to the principles of decentralisation. After all, admins are expected to be held to unrealistic "standards" to the point where popular website forums - and thus communities - are being shut down. Fediverse server admins are literally contemplating banning UK users simply to avoid the hassle. So don't be surprised if it seems I suddenly live in Ireland. Or was that Iceland? I don't know...something like that.

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Thursday, 06-Mar-2025 21:10:58 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     I'll be honest, I'm feeling very disheartened to say the least. The OSA has received very little coverage - all the while, The Intersection many of you know I've hoped to develop, the co-op I'm trying to help create, its documentary, even this very Mastodon account are all put in jeopardy, as server admins are already planning geoblocking of UK accounts, basically cutting UK folks off from the Fediverse. And guess what? If the UK govt get away with this, others will follow their lead. It won't end with the UK.

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     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Thursday, 06-Mar-2025 21:16:59 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     I'd rather fucking die than be pushed back on to centralised social media run by big techbros. If all these projects have to rely on websites, newsletters, and international allies who can signal-boost on the Fediverse - or if I have to find a way to beef up a company to run its own servers and jump through OSA's hoops, or even if they fine me £18m for not dotting an "i" or crossing a "t", I guess that's what I'll do. But I'm not going back. No matter the sacrifices, we have to take a stand.

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     Mark Kraft (krafttea@mastodon.social)'s status on Thursday, 06-Mar-2025 21:29:40 JST Mark Kraft

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist Or, alternately...
     How about just breaking the law, like everyone else?!

     Bad laws should be defied.
     Guy Fawkes masks for everyone!

     (Hell, if 'Sir Keir' has a problem with what you think you want to say, let me know. I can post it in the US, and you can link to it!

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Thursday, 06-Mar-2025 21:29:40 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • Mark Kraft

     @KraftTea That's the spirit. We just need mass noncompliance. But where would I link to it from? Ha.

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     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Thursday, 06-Mar-2025 21:52:42 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • Nicol Wistreich

     @nicol Thanks. Of course I hold responsibility with whichever government, legislation inherited or not. Politicians don't get rights without responsibilities. Though I'm less inclined to write to them to grovel for mercy. And the criminalisation of porn is utterly abhorrent. Aside from this, while I think you've made great points about wait-and-see, international server admins are already planning to geoblock UK users even in anticipation of this "to teach those Brits a lesson for having a government like that."

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     Nicol Wistreich (nicol@social.coop)'s status on Thursday, 06-Mar-2025 21:52:44 JST Nicol Wistreich

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist 1. It’s a Tory act Labour inherited.
     2. Implementation of it is entirely in the hands of OFCOM. They continue to be constructively ambiguous about what ‘a significant number of UK users’ means in practice. IANAL but I’d use that ambiguity to wait & see. OFCOM have said they’ll advise of non-compliance before get heavy handed.
     3. Still worth writing to MP / Secretary of State to exempt small sites.
     4. If your site has porn, that’s different - has criminal responsibilities.