UK Online Safety Regulations and impact on Forums

zappaDPJ said:
In general I don't like censorship either but surely there are lines that shouldn't be crossed? Would you allow racism, chat that encouraged self-harm, a bomb making hand book, incitement to cause harm etc?
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Racist speech is protected speech here. So is bomb-making instructions. Though it might get you on some "radars" you'd rather not be on. :) Inciting a riot, on the other hand is NOT protected speech. Speech that causes damages (such as libel / slander) can be CIVILLY pursued for damages. But they are not preemptively illegal.... in other words, "Prior Restraint" is unconstitutional here in the USA.

zappaDPJ said:
until the forum owner made it known that their forum is 'absolutely a Free Speech Zone'. That is when people start to push boundaries and I have seen a couple of forum that have had to close because of it.
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Ah, but here's the thing... it hasn't happened, because like attracts like. You reap what you sow, eh? I've done virtually zero moderation on my forum. Haven't had to. Treat them like adults... they behave like adults. Distilled, my main rule is, "Don't be an ***hole." :) Admittedly subjective.

JamesBrown said:
You have no more free speech than the UK. Speech that Incites imminent lawless action is as illegal there as it is here
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LOL! Now that's precious and a bit sad if you really believe it. And the last sentence is a non-sequitur. We don't have police raiding homes and making arrests here for Facebook posts about things like objections to palestinian flags, for example. But you sure do in the UK. MANY people have been approached and even arrested and imprisoned for speech there.

Yes... inciting a riot is not protected speech here. In other words you cannot claim 1st Amendment protections if you incite people or cause damages. But you won't be arrested, prosecuted, or criminally liable for damaging speech. However, you CAN be held liable for the DAMAGES caused. Contrary to popular belief it is NOT illegal to yell "fire" in a crowded theater. There is no such statute declaring any particular speech as illegal or punishable. The speech itself is not illegal nor criminal. The liabilities may arise depending on the outcome of that speech.

Anyhoo... I'll stop short of that rabbit hole. I have a real job. My forum isn't my life nor a source of income (yet). In any case, I won't be opening it up to the EU / UK for all the reasons I've already mentioned. Too much work. Too much liability. And their speech laws are incongruent with my way of life. No offense intended. It is what it is, eh? I absolutely respect their right to run their country how they please. It's just not for me, just as my way of life is not for them. I get it, but I'm not going to participate... nor would I expect them to conform to our ways from afar.
 
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ForumFan said:
Racist speech is protected speech here. So is bomb-making instructions. Though it might get you on some "radars" you'd rather not be on. :) Inciting a riot, on the other hand is NOT protected speech. Speech that causes damages (such as libel / slander) can be CIVILLY pursued for damages. But they are not preemptively illegal.... in other words, "Prior Restraint" is unconstitutional here in the USA.
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I've always thought the terms "hate speech," or in your case, "racist speech," are artificial. I've never quite understood them. I view it differently—as speech that someone hates, rather than the broad concepts of racism or antisemitism that these terms often represent. I think self-governance is important, but self-reflection and improving as a person and a human being are even more so. To get back to the thread's topic, with so few managing the operation of websites, it’s often a losing battle for forum owners, depending on how the iron fist comes down.
 
I'm pretty strict when it comes to rules.
I have been known to add a few rules as i go.
I also have a good main set of rules up on my board.
I want people to contribute to the conversations that are going on and less acting like trolls.
One of the best rules i have is the no slagging off at the xf staff. Why? Simple we share the same space as them on the cloud.
 
MentaL said:
I've always thought the terms "hate speech," or in your case, "racist speech," are artificial. I've never quite understood them. I view it differently—as speech that someone hates, rather than the broad concepts of racism or antisemitism that these terms often represent. I think self-governance is important, but self-reflection and improving as a person and a human being are even more so. To get back to the thread's topic, with so few managing the operation of websites, it’s often a losing battle for forum owners, depending on how the iron fist comes down.
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On my forum respect comes from both sides.
You can have free speech but free speech these days has political correction in it.
The PC elements might annoy you a bit but then again it's better than being trolled on your forum.
I allow low level swearing with the other more horrible words replaced by some more bearable words that mean similar things.
There are some aussie slang words that cover these bad words.
This idea was started by my mate who runs bigfooty. I adopted the same approach.
 
The UK does not have 'Free Speech' it has 'Freedom of Expression' which to all intents and purposes is the same but does have some responsibility attached to the user.

The recent wave of arrests for posts on social media platforms have been related to the murders of the three children in Stockport by the terrorist who isn't a terrorist and whom we cannot discuss due to reporting restrictions.
Basically, inciting riotous behaviours on social media platforms is illegal if you are of a certain indigenous demographic.
 
webbouk said:
The UK does not have 'Free Speech' it has 'Freedom of Expression' which to all intents and purposes is the same but does have some responsibility attached to the user.

The recent wave of arrests for posts on social media platforms have been related to the murders of the three children in Stockport by the terrorist who isn't a terrorist and whom we cannot discuss due to reporting restrictions.
Basically, inciting riotous behaviours on social media platforms is illegal if you are of a certain indigenous demographic.
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Freedom of expression is the same thing as free speech just different words.
As i said it's free speech with politically correct statements in it.
 
What surprised me is the extent to which an ever growing number of UK site owners have been rattled by this new Act... until I read though it after one of my corporate tech clients consulted their legal advisers.

I can start to see why people are concerned, I would at the very least be inclined to disable any pm system once the Act comes into force. I would also question whether Xenforo currently provides the necessary administrative functions to fulfil the requirements of the Act.

What does alarm me is the headline on the official site proclaiming in large print 'This is just the beginning' and the fact that even more sites hosted outside of the UK will now block access for UK members.

I'm not trying to be alarmist but if you read through the ACT it's clear that you will not be fulfilling your obligations under the Act just because your site holds nothing more than family friendly content.
 
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eva2000 said:
This OSA Act came up on discussion on a private forum. Started a forum guideline template at https://github.com/centminmod/xenforo-online-safety-act-uk-template. Still a work in progress :)
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Thanks for that, it’s a great resource and pulls out the relevant parts which apply to most forum owners.

As @zappaDPJ says, ignoring the Act because you don’t think you have any illegal content is not sufficient to be compliant. I wouldn’t say that Ofcom and associated law enforcement would go after someone just because they hadn’t done a risk assessment, but everyone is aware of how these things can be used if they have other reasons to go after a target.
 
alfaNova said:
I didn't know this addon exist (Thanks @AddonsLab). But I think this can help admins to monitor illegal content.

[AL] Perspective API 2.x AddonsLab

[AL] Perspective API 2.x

Post moderation and live feedback about post quality using Google Perspective API for XenForo 2.x
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A good idea.... but useless in reality. I put two posts from my forum into it, and both would have tripped the system. Read what tripped it within the post... not toxic content.

Screenshot 2024-12-20 193039.webpScreenshot 2024-12-20 192634.webp
 
Suzanne O said:
Freedom of expression is the same thing as free speech just different words.
As i said it's free speech with politically correct statements in it.
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They are not the same; subtle differences put the onus of responsibility on individuals for what they say or write.
Read both acts and then compare.
 
Anthony Parsons said:
A good idea.... but useless in reality. I put two posts from my forum into it, and both would have tripped the system. Read what tripped it within the post... not toxic content.

View attachment 316021View attachment 316022
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Your examples are for Spam. You can select which models to enable, I only enable it for Toxicity.

I've used it for a while and found it very useful on an active sports forum. It prompts a "Be careful, your post will likely trigger moderation" which definitely helps people think twice.
 
RoyalRumble said:
Your examples are for Spam. You can select which models to enable, I only enable it for Toxicity.

I've used it for a while and found it very useful on an active sports forum. It prompts a "Be careful, your post will likely trigger moderation" which definitely helps people think twice.
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Can you add some examples for Toxicity please?
 
alfaNova said:
Can you add some examples for Toxicity please?
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You can test via Google's perspective website here or via a free trial the developer add-on allows.

I use that add on, specifically the toxicity model to discourage profane language which violates ad terms. Example usage on my forum;

example-xf2.webp

It's definitely reduced the amount of warnings issued for poor language.

Mindful to not detract too much from the thread, but the add-on example given is definitely a useful moderating aid.
 
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That article is loaded with a load of misinformation by omission at the end, unfortunately. The remarks about Trump, are the polar opposite of how Republican's have acted all over the USA when it comes to censoring libraries and other institutions, and Trump's own threats to go after people who disagree with him. His track record of threats to shut down news organizations, for example, both during his first administration and since then.
 
Mr Lucky said:
I believe (someone may know better or want to check) that in the EU, UK and possibly in the US?) When a forum has moderators, then the responsibility for anything illegal that is posted is on the forum owner. I imagine you'd have a decent defence if you were charged/sued without a reasonable time frame to take down when notified, but that is just speculation.
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This is not the case in the USA. Section 230 is the polar opposite. Forums and their moderators are not liable for what is post. Sites like Reddit couldn't exist if they were liable for "illegal" posts.
 
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