The reach of government regulation is expanding far beyond borders, and it’s not just affecting platforms based in the UK. American websites, social media networks, and forums that have long relied on First Amendment protections now find themselves in the crosshairs of the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA). This sweeping piece of legislation, hailed by the British government as the world’s first online safety law, is shaking up the internet in a profound way.
The OSA became law in October 2023, but it’s the regulations that took effect on March 17, 2025, that are drawing the most attention. The law mandates that platforms with user interactions, like social media networks and forums, must put in place measures to prevent “illegal” content and protect UK users from harmful material. The implications are significant, and they’re not just affecting platforms based in the UK. Now, sites accessible to UK users, no matter where they are based, face the threat of being dragged into compliance with these new regulations.
Gab, a US-based social media platform known for its staunch stance on free speech, has found itself directly impacted. The platform, which has no legal presence in the UK, was served with a formal letter from Ofcom, the UK’s regulatory body, demanding it adhere to the Online Safety Act. Gab’s CEO, Andrew Torba, wasted no time in calling out the UK’s move, accusing the government of pushing a “censorship regime” that threatens to undermine the platform’s very mission. His criticism is warranted, considering the law’s broad scope and the potentially disastrous consequences for platforms that fail to comply.
Under the OSA, any site that allows users to interact with each other must complete a “harm risk assessment” and submit it to Ofcom. This assessment, due by March 31, 2025, is no small task. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Noncompliance is punishable by penalties, including massive fines that could exceed $23 million or even court orders that block the platform’s access to UK users entirely.
This new regulatory framework has sparked alarm among US-based platforms, many of which operate with the protection of the First Amendment in mind. The fear is real: platforms that thrive on free speech are being forced into a position where they have to choose between compliance with restrictive laws or facing massive financial penalties and the loss of users in the UK market. The risk is no longer theoretical; it’s now very tangible. Gab is just one example of what could become a widespread issue as more platforms struggle to navigate these waters.
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer