UK lawmakers prepare to increase the maximum penalty for “cyber bullying” from six months in prison to two years.
Under the act, which does not apply to Scotland, it is an offence to send another person a letter or electronic communication that contains an indecent or grossly offensive message, a threat or information which is false and known or believed by the sender to be false.
If so, shouldn’t we begin with deciding on what it is that can be considered as offensive? Or should we make that up as we go..?
And what is false information? What about satire, travesty and irony? What is true and what is false when it comes to political issues? Are there absolute truth in culture? And who is to decide?
Naturally, the proponents of these rules will point out that it’s just about cyber bullying, threats and harassment. But with the definition above–any government could use this law to curb free speech and to stifle opposition.
Don’t give the ruling political class such tools. Sooner or later they will be misused.
/ HAX
No comments yet.