More than two thirds of people fear information critical of immigration could be censored under the Online Safety Act, a new poll suggests.
According to a More in Common poll, 72 per cent of people are concerned social media companies will restrict their ability to see political information that is criticising immigration under restrictions imposed by the law.
Of this 72 per cent, a total of 35 per cent of people said they were "very concerned".
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The polling of 2,042 British adults took place between August 1 and 3.
Under changes to the act that came into effect on July 25, online platforms such as social media sites and search engines must take steps to prevent children accessing harmful content such as pornography or material that encourages suicide.
Platforms are now required to use secure methods like facial scans, photo ID and credit cards checks to verify the age of their users.
A total of 87 per cent of people are however concerned that their personal information could be hacked when they upload it to verify their age, the poll showed.
In response to the poll results, External Affairs Officer at The Free Speech Union, Connie Shaw, told GB News: "The most shocking aspect of the poll is that 28 per cent of people aren’t concerned that the Online Safety Act has resulted in the restriction of political information.
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A poll shows more than 70 per cent of people fear updates to the Online Safety Act could lead to censorship of information which is 'critical on immigration'
|PA
"The effects of the Act are a direct affront to democratic participation, with social media companies being incentivised to restrict anything that could possibly fall foul of the extraordinarily broad law."
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, whose party plans to repeal the act if it is to get into power, said it "strips British people of any remaining privacy".
“The online safety act is about silencing dissenting views, anti immigration rhetoric, or anything else that would challenge Labour’s agenda. Of course people are worried, he told the People's Channel.
“This Act has nothing to do with safety, it opens the door to censorship and strips the British people of any remaining privacy.
Lee Anderson MP says the Online Safety Act 'opens the door to censorship'
|PA
“A Reform government will scrap it entirely, protect free speech, and ensure every voice can be heard.
"We will force big tech companies to do more for child safety, while ensuring harsher sentences to deter cyber crime.”
Sir Keir Starmer previously defended the legislation, saying: "We’re not censoring anyone.
“We’ve got some measures which are there to protect children, in particular, from sites like suicide sites.”
The Prime Minister added: “I personally feel very strongly that we should protect our young teenagers and that’s what it usually is, from things like suicide sites.
"I don’t see that as a free speech issue, I see that as child protection.”
After announcing his party's pledge to scrap the Online Safety Act, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was last month accused by Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle of being on the side of "people like Jimmy Savile".
Speaking to GB News, Kyle defended his comments and claimed the views of the Reform UK leader are "grossly offensive".
He added: "Nigel Farage has said explicitly he wants to overturn that act. Words have consequences in politics, because if he gets in to power, he will overturn that act, and he will make it easier for predators and paedophiles to have access to children."
When asked about Kyle's scathing comment, 62 per cent of people participating in the More in Common poll said it was an "inappropriate" thing to say, with 53 per cent saying the Technology Secretary should apologise.
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