Unpack the debate surrounding the Online Safety Act and its ties to the emerging theme of Global Online Tyranny.
The United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act has ignited a fiery debate about its implications beyond its stated goal of protecting users online. Some critics argue that this legislative move is not merely about internet safety but part of a broader, tyrannical globalist agenda aimed at undermining traditional structures like family and God’s design.
At the heart of this contention is the concern that the Act, by giving authorities extensive control over online content, could be used to reshape societal norms. The legislation’s broad powers to define and regulate “harmful” content might extend to censoring discussions or expressions that uphold traditional family values or religious beliefs, particularly those rooted in Christian doctrine.
Forums dedicated to niche interests, local community platforms, and volunteer-run sites are particularly vulnerable. The costs associated with compliance, from legal consultations to hiring staff for content moderation, are often prohibitive for these entities. Critics argue that the Act, while well-intentioned, overlooks the practical realities of smaller digital spaces, essentially driving them out of existence.
One notable example is Microcosm, a web forum hosting service that supported over 300 community sites. Its owner decided to shut down operations rather than navigate the “disproportionately high personal liability” introduced by the Act. This decision reflects a broader trend where smaller websites, lacking the resources to implement the Act’s measures, are opting to close rather than risk legal repercussions.
For Christians, this poses a unique challenge. Traditional Christian teachings on various moral and lifestyle issues could be scrutinized under the new regulations. For instance, discussions around marriage, sexuality, or even broader theological debates might be flagged as potentially violating norms of inclusivity or equality, depending on the interpretation by platform moderators or automated systems. Don’t forget that evangelicals were sometimes accused of promoting misinformation regarding the efficacy of vaccines or the nature of the virus itself, with claims that people should pray about it rather than simply complying with scientific guidance.
The argument extends to the idea that such laws could be part of a larger global movement where individual countries are nudged or pressured into adopting policies that align with a one-size-fits-all globalist vision. This vision, critics claim, prioritizes a uniform cultural narrative over the diverse, often faith-based, values held by different communities.
However, supporters of the Act counter that these claims are exaggerated. They argue that the legislation aims primarily to protect vulnerable groups, especially children, from online exploitation and harmful content. They maintain that the Act does not inherently target religious or family values but seeks to ensure a safer digital environment for all.
One of the primary criticisms is the Act’s approach to privacy and encryption. While it mandates platforms to scan for illegal content, potentially compromising user privacy, the same government has been known to advocate for strong encryption to protect its communications. This duality raises questions about the government’s true intentions: Is the Act genuinely about safety, or is it a tool for surveillance under the guise of protection? Get ready to put on your aluminum foil hats, as aren’t we all aware by now there’s a huge push for global digital I.D.?
In the wake of the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, the United States has introduced its own legislative measure known as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), mirroring many of the UK’s objectives to protect young internet users. This bill, proposed in the U.S. Congress, aims to create a safer digital environment for children and teenagers by imposing new responsibilities on social media platforms and tech companies.
In the book of Amos, chapter 8, verse 11 speaks of a time when there will be a “famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” While the Biblical passage refers to a spiritual drought, some contemporary observers draw a parallel with the UK’s Online Safety Act, seeing it as potentially heralding a modern form of this famine.
True Christians of good faith will not read this and think of fist fighting their way through this. They will get on their knees and fight like a man in prayer, letting God go before them in their struggles and battles. Build your faith up, surround yourself with others that have faith in-person and online. Mature to the point of turning the other cheek and loving, even praying for, your enemies. Let the intolerant reveal themselves with acts of force, while Christians around the world reveal their character of love, peace, and truth. Build your faith to endure until the end by walking the way that is straight and true.
