Farage Faces Backlash Over Online Safety Act Comments

The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, has drawn sharp criticism from the U.K.’s Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, for his party’s pledge to dismantle the U.K.’s Online Safety Act. Kyle accused Farage of aligning with predators like infamous serial child abuser Jimmy Savile during a discussion on Sky News on March 5, 2024. This heated exchange follows Farage’s announcement that his party intends to abolish the legislation, which aims to protect children from harmful online content.

The Online Safety Act, which came into effect last week, obligates social media platforms to verify users’ ages and restrict minors from accessing pornography and other hazardous material. Kyle emphasized the necessity of these regulations, stating, “We have people out there who are extreme pornographers, peddling hate, peddling violence. Nigel Farage is on their side.” He further claimed that if Savile were alive today, he would exploit online platforms to continue his crimes.

Kyle contended that reversing the Online Safety Act would jeopardize the safety of children, allowing dangerous individuals to contact minors through messaging apps. He firmly stated, “Make no mistake about it, people are perpetrating more crime online, more danger to children online. Nigel Farage has said he wants to overturn every single one of the laws that keeps children safe in our country.”

In response, Farage described Kyle’s remarks as “disgusting” and insisted on an apology. Reform UK member Zia Yusuf echoed this sentiment, labeling Kyle’s comments as “one of the most outrageous and disgusting things a politician has said in the political arena that I can remember.” Yusuf argued that the Online Safety Act would ultimately “make children less safe,” stating, “It’s what tyrants always do. They cloak tyranny in the warm files of safety and hope nobody reads the fine print.”

Kyle maintained his stance on social media, asserting, “If you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. It is as simple as that.” His comments reflect a growing tension in the political discourse surrounding online safety and child protection in the U.K.

The controversy surrounding the Online Safety Act highlights a significant divide in British politics regarding the balance between free speech and safeguarding vulnerable populations. As discussions on this topic continue, the implications of any changes to the legislation could be profound for the digital landscape in the U.K.