Liz Kendall not worried “in the slightest” by US threats
The UK government will push ahead with plans to tighten rules on technology platforms, despite objections from the United States.
Ministers say the changes, which may include limits on how under-16s use social media or a full ban, aim to protect children online.
The US embassy in London warned that a blanket ban could place a heavy burden on American firms. It also raised concerns about free speech, and whether age checks can work in practice.
Downing Street has dismissed those concerns, with officials saying the government will act in the interests of UK families.
Technology secretary Liz Kendall in particular said she is not worried “in the slightest” by the US position. She said the government will focus on feedback from parents and UK users, telling The Guardian that nine out of 10 respondents to a government poll supported an under-16 ban.
Although an outright ban has been suggested, ministers are actually considering two main options: one is a full ban on social media, and the other is limiting features such as messaging and feeds.
Either route would increase pressure on platform providers, with firms needing to check users’ ages and control access to services.
The US embassy said age-gating would not work, warning that “technical methods developed to distinguish minors from adults cannot simply be repurposed for younger thresholds.”
It instead called on parents to have “robust tools” to manage their children’s activities online, as well as requiring platforms to offer a healthy online experience (never mind that these platforms push back against any legislative attempt to force them towards online safety – Ed.).
The move builds on the Online Safety Act, which already places duties on platforms to protect users and has a strong focus on child safety.
The Trump administration has not been silent in its criticism of the OSA, with Vice President JD Vance alleging that free speech is “in retreat” in the UK.
US opposition adds a political layer to the ongoing online safety debate. Many large platforms are US-based, and new rules may increase compliance costs and strain relations across the Atlantic, similarly to the developments seen in Brussels last week.
So far, the government appears willing to accept that risk. The details are not final, but the message to the sector is firm: the UK will tighten control of digital platforms, and it will do so on its own terms.
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