UK considering legislation that would imprison internet trolls

FEE’s Brad Polumbo writes, “If you ever need a reminder of how important freedom of speech is, all you need to do is look across the pond. The United Kingdom, which doesn’t have a First Amendment, has slowly seen citizens’ free speech rights eroded—and now may soon start imprisoning people for being trolls on the internet.

This blatant attempt at the censorship of online speech is deeply concerning. https://t.co/aCG0OevHhP

— FEE (@feeonline) November 4, 2021

At question is pending legislation called the 'Online Safety Bill,' which ostensibly punishes social media companies that allow harassment. Yet it may be expanded to include new criminal penalties for individuals who engage in mean speech online.

'Trolls could face two years in prison for sending messages or posting content that causes psychological harm under legislation targeting online hate,' the Times of London reports.”

Read the entire column.