Isn't it all getting a bit 'social credit system' if everything in attached so readily to a 'government ID'? Seems like a convenient excuse to further erode freedoms.

Much of what was posted on social media was apparently from abroad (where they may have different laws anyway), and of others police are very often able to track them down if they need to as most often they aren't truly 'anonymous'. It could be seen as an overreaction to change the whole system for the majority based on the actions of the few.

On the flipside, I see the argument that if people have Facebook and Instagram accounts that are already on their phone and detail their life, should they be that bothered about a more robust verification system? It's a tricky balance. This change would certainly encourage accountability, but to a standard that will inevitably shift, most likely eventually to the benefit of the government of the time rather than the people.

Edited by BlueJay (14 Jul 2021 1.09pm)

The issue is who is deciding what people can say online. If they are the same kind of people who support wokeism, then we must resist them at all costs.
People should be able to express opinions publically without fear that the thought police will be knocking on their door.
The online abuse agenda is just an excuse to control opinion. How many people from Britain actually post racist abuse?
How bothered would SKY Sports et al be if it was any other kind of abuse?

It's a two pronged thing in a way as the law of the day applies in any given territory, but also social media outlets have their own terms and conditions too.

I think people left and right ultimately both fall into a trap of wanting the government to take the reins thinking that will be better somehow. On the left due to the emphasis on hate speech (whatever our view of that), and on the right wanting top down rules imposed on social media due to their own political biases. Both of these desires for government action can have aspects to them that are well intentioned (as well as the opposite), but I see them all as leading to a place where the government of the day becomes so involved across the board that it can always call the shots in one foul swoop. It leads to more of a beady eye on the law abiding and building profiles on them that can be used or exploited, politically, socially and otherwise. The behaviour of a few hateful individuals, or biased tech companies is rather convenient in getting them to this place.

It may be difficult for alternative platforms to gain support, advertising, or stay online, but if there is a big enough audience for something and talented people behind it, it will eventually get a footing, and this is much preferable than relying on the government for anything. I think that's generally an approach that comes back to bite people no matter their politics.

As for the most mainstream platforms such as FB, Twitter and so on, I'd rather them put algorithms in place that can flag accounts that clearly go too far in terms of targetting individuals, so that it never sees the light or day to begin with. It can't be an impossibility to achieve that, and where they fail to do so, it inevitiably becomes highlighted in such a way that magnifies how widespread it is and that isn't really useful to them or us.

This has been doing the rounds - it is apparently the same source that is used by the PFA:-

[Link]

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers

Good spot. I doubt it's too far off the mark.. and in some territories making such statements probably isn't against the law, so calls for accounts here to linked to IDs for the sake of the handful of idiots does seem very OTT and something unlikely to change anything.

Better to make changes to algorithms, combined with investigating the few actual UK cases using existing powers, rather than viewing all UK users as potential racists in the making who need to hand over their papers.

And why things like Twitter, and the rest of social media by default, are such piss poor barometers of public opinion on anything. Hence why any attempts by Governments or corporations to use them as any excuse of trying to exercise even more control over our lives have to be resisted, almost as a default reaction, no matter what.

s***, all anybody has to do is download the Opera browser and switch it to the VPN option and they can pretend to be posting from abroad.

Hence why social media is ultimately froth. And should be treated accordingly.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.