The UK Parliament is headed on a path far away from democracy, as demonstrated by the country’s willingness to learn from the censorship tactics of China, Iran, and Russia. The success of these nations in curtailing online anonymity has emboldened the UK to pursue similar measures.
Today, WhatsApp announced that it would rather cease operations in the UK than abandon its encryption, indicating that the burden of moderation may become too great. Such a move would have devastating consequences for the people of the UK, who are becoming increasingly aware of the threat posed by online authoritarianism.
In 2021, Russia banned the encrypted Tor network in an effort to combat crime, promising to end child abuse, drug dealing, and human trafficking. That’s what they told their courts. However, this move was merely a precursor to Russia’s war on Ukraine, which was accompanied by a crackdown on political opposition, journalists, and human rights activists.
The choice to use untraceable communication was legally taken away, making it clear no person had any rights to privacy in any form. Criminals, by nature, won’t think twice about breaking this law in order to continue their illicit operations leaving fearful law-abiding citizens vulnerable to yet even more cyber attacks. Privacy is a form of protection whereas anonymity is just the tool.
The UK’s Online Safety Bill is currently only safe for a select few, and the apps that we rely on are disappearing as a result. Some argue that this is a good thing, given the toxic nature of platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Others contend that these platforms are merely a product of intelligent marketing that preys on our desire to connect with others.
Despite these differing opinions, there is no denying that technology has the potential to be a force for justice. However, if the UK continues in this direction, it risks becoming a beacon of online authoritarianism rather than a champion of freedom and democracy. The UK Online Safety Bill must be scrutinised and debated by generations for generations.