Ex-England footballer Matt Le Tissier has issued a warning over the Online Safety Bill, claiming it is a draconian measure.
It comes as the controversial law aimed at making social media firms more responsible for users’ safety passed its final Parliamentary debate.
The nearly 300-page bill will introduce new rules that force forms to remove illegal content and protect children from some legal but potentially harmful content.
Critics have argued that Big Tech will have more power in dictating what may or may not be said online.
Matt Le Tissier has spoken out against the Online Safety Bill
PA / GB NEWS
Speaking on GB News, Le Tissier said the bill is a “form of communism” as he hit out at its introduction into UK law.
“This is the Government putting in place laws that are going to allow people not to challenge them”, he said.
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“They’re going to be the only people that are going to be allowed to spread misinformation.
“You’re not going to be able to question the Government when they bring these things in.
“This Government, I believe, has been infiltrated by rogue actors and they seem intent on destroying this nation.”
Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said the Online Safety Bill was a “game-changing” new law.
Social media faces a crackdown
PAThe passage of the Bill has also been welcomed by child safety campaigners after its lengthy journey through Parliament and had faced resistance from tech firms concerned about measures which could weaken communication security.
Officials claim the legislation would tame the “Wild West” of the internet.
The reforms come in response to concern about youngsters being impacted with harmful content, with young lives being lost as a result.
Sir Peter Wanless, chief executive of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, said: “At the NSPCC we hear from children about the completely unacceptable levels of abuse and harm they face online every day.
“That’s why we have campaigned strongly for change alongside brave survivors, families, young people and Parliamentarians to ensure the legislation results in a much safer online world for children.”
Le Tissier, who made a name by racking up goals for Southampton in the Premier League, has become an outspoken critic of the Government in recent years and thinks the hefty bill relating to the internet only serves to silence dissenting voices.
“I think anybody who challenges the establishment is getting targeted, I’ve had it myself”, he told Dan Wootton.
“It seems pretty obvious to me that they are going after anyone who will challenge them, and this bill is in place to stop that from happening, and stop people from having a voice.
“In a democracy, this shouldn’t be allowed to happen.”