UK Government Censoring ALL Media

Summary

The UK’s Online Safety Act, initially aimed at protecting children from harmful content, has expanded to include age verification for a wide range of platforms, from gaming services like Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox to music and streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Netflix. This policy shift has raised concerns over censorship, privacy risks, and the impact on freedom of expression. As companies comply with these regulations, questions about the security of personal data and the role of government in regulating art and music have sparked growing debate.

Takeaways

• 😀 The UK government introduced the first iteration of the Online Safety Act in 2023, and a revised version with stricter rules was released in July 2025.
• 😀 Age verification for accessing certain websites is now mandatory in the UK, impacting platforms like Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Spotify, and others.
• 😀 Within a span of weeks, several major gaming and streaming services, including Epic Games, Steam, and Spotify, were notified they must comply with the age verification requirements.
• 😀 The age verification measures apply not only to adult content but also to games with mature themes (16+ and 18+ games) and music with explicit content.
• 😀 The Online Safety Act's scope has expanded from preventing harmful content for children to regulating artistic expression, including profanity, nudity, and violence in games.
• 😀 UK residents can open a bank account at 16, but the Online Safety Act requires submitting a bank card for age verification, which creates conflicts with users under 18.
• 😀 Age verification methods vary across platforms—Steam uses bank card details, while streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music ask for forms of ID.
• 😀 The requirement to use different IDs or bank cards for multiple accounts presents practical challenges, especially for parents managing accounts for their children.
• 😀 The speaker expresses concern that the government’s actions risk personal privacy, as sensitive data like bank details and IDs are stored and vulnerable to hacking.
• 😀 The speaker argues that censorship of music and games, based on government-imposed rules, interferes with freedom of expression and parental discretion over what children consume.

Q & A

What is the Online Safety Act and when was its first version introduced?

The Online Safety Act is a UK government law aimed at protecting users, particularly children, from harmful online content. Its first version was introduced in 2023.

What changes were introduced in version two of the Online Safety Act in July 2025?

Version two introduced mandatory age verification for accessing certain websites and online platforms, expanding the scope of regulation beyond adult content.

Which gaming platforms were initially notified to comply with age verification requirements?

PlayStation and Xbox were first formally notified, followed later by Steam and Epic Games.

How has the Online Safety Act affected games on Steam specifically?

UK Steam users must now verify their age to access store pages for mature content. This applies to both 18+ and some 16+ games that contain swearing, gore, or nudity.

What methods are being used for age verification on gaming and streaming platforms?

Gaming platforms like Steam primarily use bank card verification, while streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music use ID verification forms.

Why does the speaker believe the Act is problematic for music streaming platforms?

The speaker argues that music is a form of artistic expression and that age verification restricts access unnecessarily, bypassing parental discretion and limiting freedom of expression.

What security concerns are associated with the new age verification measures?

Storing personal bank or ID information increases the risk of data breaches. If accounts on platforms like Spotify, Xbox, or PlayStation are hacked, sensitive financial information could be exposed.

What role does parental responsibility play according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that parents should decide what content their children can access, rather than the government imposing restrictions.

How quickly did the UK government implement and enforce the Online Safety Act in 2025?

Within approximately a month, Ofcom started enforcing the Act, and major platforms across gaming and streaming were notified to comply, marking a rapid rollout.

What broader societal concerns does the speaker highlight regarding the Online Safety Act?

The Act represents government overreach into personal freedom, artistic expression, and privacy. It may lead to increased censorship, data security risks, and a loss of user autonomy in digital spaces.

Are there any suggested ways to bypass age verification according to the video?

The speaker mentions that using a VPN could bypass restrictions, but notes that this is considered improper and 'naughty.'

What is the speaker’s overall opinion of the Online Safety Act?

The speaker views the Act as absurd, overreaching, and harmful to privacy and freedom of expression, arguing that it unnecessarily restricts access to games and music and places sensitive data at risk.