Reform UK chief erupts as migrant hotel protest 'censored' under new law

Controversial legislation aimed at regulating digital platforms in the UK is in fact resulting in the censorship of protests against migrant hotels, Reform UK's chairman has claimed in a blistering attack. And Zia Yusuf believes the new law, which came into force on Friday, represents an all-out assault on freedom of speech and an "Orwellian nightmare".

The Act has prompted intense criticism from some quarters since its inception. Its stated aim is to make the internet safer by compelling platforms to tackle harmful content, especially targeting child exploitation, hate speech, and terrorism. However, critics including Mr Yusuf argue the legislation grants unprecedented powers to regulators and tech companies, leading to broad censorship risks and infringements on privacy and free speech.

Posting on X after protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping and the Britannia International Hotel in Docklands, Mr Yusuf said: "This is the biggest ever assault on free speech in the UK.

"Already the 'Online Safety Act' is censoring footage of protests against migrant hotels, and the government that loves locking people up for speech is forcing people to scan their faces and IDs."

He added: "This Tory monstrosity hands unelected bureaucrats sweeping powers to censor content they disapprove of, forcing platforms to scan private messages, break end-to-end encryption, and demand ID just to browse the web.

"It's a power grab that will stifle dissent and push vulnerable users to the dark web."

The legislation had nothing to do with protecting children and instead empowered authoritarians to silence anyone challenging the "establishment narrative", Mr Yusuf insisted.

He continued: "And who voted for this Orwellian nightmare?

"Once again, Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, those so-called 'right-wing champions' who talk tough but sold us all out when it counted.

"Reform and Nigel Farage stand against this tyranny."

One of the Act's most contentious aspects is its requirement that platforms remove content which exhibits offences under the Public Order Act.

This includes materials linked to protests or demonstrations that authorities deem could incite violence or public disorder.

While intended to prevent harm, this provision has alarmed civil liberties advocates and free speech campaigners. They warn it effectively empowers platforms to preemptively censor lawful protest footage or commentary without judicial oversight, stifling legitimate dissent and political expression.

Videos of demonstrations, such as protests against migrant hotels, may be swiftly removed based on vague or overbroad interpretations of public order offences, raising serious questions about the balance between safety and democratic rights.

Moreover, the Act's enforcement mechanisms have introduced invasive age verification measures. Platforms hosting adult or sensitive content are now required to deploy tools, including facial recognition and ID scanning, to verify users' identities.

Privacy experts have condemned this as a disproportionate and chilling intrusion, risking mass surveillance and discrimination while failing to guarantee protection for vulnerable groups.

The mandate to remove content linked to public order offences, combined with stringent ID requirements, raises fears that dissenting voices will be silenced and that ordinary users will be subjected to unprecedented surveillance in the name of safety. This has ignited a fierce debate over how to regulate online spaces without undermining fundamental rights.

Speaking in 2023, Ella Jakubowska, Senior Policy Advisor at European Digital Rights (EDRi), warned: "With this authoritarian proposal, the UK joins several EU countries in a concerted attack on the safety and integrity of everyone's private communications.

"The EU version of this law would mandate the dangerous scanning of people's private messages without due cause. But across Europe, several police departments specialised in child protection, public prosecutors, and survivors' groups have pointed out that these measures would be ineffective at tackling the problem of online abuse."

A government spokesperson said: "Free speech is fundamental to our democracy and we've taken robust action to protect it, including through the Online Safety Act.

"The Act protects UK citizens by tackling disturbing illegal content like child sexual material and content harmful to children including suicide and self-harm material. This represents the biggest step change in young people's online experience since the internet was created, providing a safer internet where children can explore its benefits without anxiety over what might be behind the next swipe.

"As set out in our Plan for Change, we are committed to giving children the best start in life, and protecting them from harm online is fundamental to achieving this mission."