Ofcom’s Investigation: Our Full Response and Position on UK Jurisdiction

[sannoji]

i'm unfortunately in the uk, really disappointing to see ofcom do this when there's absolutely no jurisdiction. i first joined this site with most of a CTB plan put together, but i ended up finding so many supportive people who have also felt unsupported by mainstream narratives on suicide, and i was able to clear the fog in my way and see a way forward… like others have said, it seems kind of insane for that to happen on a site like this if you take it as face value, but knowing that CTB is still an option i can plan for actually gave me new hope. without the info and crucially the support on this site i could have rushed into things and harmed myself. though everything else going on in this country has been making it difficult to get on here, it's been an invaluable source of support and once again it's just sick for ofcom to paint this place as nothing but negativity. i hope sasu's able to get good legal rep, it's absolutely right to fight this and i admire the admins for not being swayed by these sorts of scare tactics.

 

[whywere]

When governments and people in power think and also act and react as if they have all or most of the answers. this is when the general populace should take notice and voice their concerns for individual rights and let it be known that this type of behavior and overreach of government will not be tolerated.

Walter

 

[ayb]

I have found solace here but my view will be unpopular to many of you.

This is not a surprise at all, and regardless of the outcome we can expect more legal woes to come. The biggest problem is that children and young teenagers can access the site so easily. Even if you don't personally believe this to be a problem (though I truly think it is), it's a framing that is non-negotiable to the public. In its current form I predict SS will not permanently stay on the open web.

This is not X or 4chan, this is a forum designed for suicide instruction. I'm not confident the US government, who you plan to refer this case to (?), will find that agreeable.

I could be wrong, I probably won't be around long enough to know

When you state 'open web' do you think the site will continue existing on the dark net (I.E Tor)?

 

[ayb]

Ofcom also sent a letter to KF and they're not folding (and have a thread up about it.)
Stay strong.

 

[soledad.virgen]

ofcom should go where her majesty went and sod off

 

[2messdup]

I'm disgusted also that Samaritans have a statement on their webpage saying they support OFCOM in this. I emailed in protest but heard nothing back.

 

[dweams]

Ofcom also sent a letter to KF and they're not folding (and have a thread up about it.)
Stay strong.

They kinda "folded," but they also kinda didn't. All they did was blanket block all UK IP addresses. A lot of controversial sites that got letters from Ofcom are doing this. So it's not exactly a win, but Ofcom did write back saying they would leave KF alone (for now).

The KF admin, Null, has a lot of experience when it comes to legal battles, so they probably thought about this decision for a while.

We can only wait and see what Ofcom will do next.

The KF thread:
https://kiwifarms.st/threads/2025-0...risk-assessment-enforcement-programme.218504/

[Edit: I came across this KF user's reply about how KF could fight Ofcom in the Supreme Court. I don't know much about the law, but maybe SS could do something similar if Ofcom escalates things? https://kiwifarms.st/threads/2025-0...nt-enforcement-programme.218504/post-21287899]

 

[ayb]

They kinda "folded," but they also kinda didn't. All they did was blanket block all UK IP addresses. A lot of controversial sites that got letters from Ofcom are doing this. So it's not exactly a win, but Ofcom did write back saying they would leave KF alone (for now).

The KF admin, Null, has a lot of experience when it comes to legal battles, so they probably thought about this decision for a while.

We can only wait and see what Ofcom will do next.

The KF thread:
https://kiwifarms.st/threads/2025-0...risk-assessment-enforcement-programme.218504/

[Edit: I came across this KF user's reply about how KF could fight Ofcom in the Supreme Court. I don't know much about the law, but maybe SS could do something similar if Ofcom escalates things? https://kiwifarms.st/threads/2025-0...nt-enforcement-programme.218504/post-21287899]

If @RainAndSadness did the same it wouldn't be a big deal as you can use Tor or a VPN to access the site if you're in the UK.

Also that KF reply is good. Could the admins look into that?

 

[itsmeagain]

Here's the situation: On 8 April 2025, we received a formal letter from the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, informing us that they had officially opened an investigation into Sanctioned-Suicide.net under the UK's Online Safety Act 2023. While we typically do not comment on regulatory interactions, we feel it is necessary to inform the community of what is happening and how we are responding.

Timeline of Events & Our Response

Let's walk through the sequence that led to this point, so the situation is fully understood:

• March 3, 2025: Ofcom issued a legally binding information request under the Act, demanding a copy of our illegal content risk assessment by March 31. We responded and requested an extension, which they granted.
• March 27–April 1, 2025: We exchanged multiple emails with Ofcom. In these, we clearly stated that we do not operate in the UK, do not target UK users, and are not subject to UK law. We emphasized our platform is U.S.-based, with no infrastructure, operations, or revenue connected to the United Kingdom.
• April 1, 2025: Ofcom insisted that our site is still "capable of being used in the UK" and therefore within their scope, despite most UK ISPs already blocking access to us at the behest of the UK government. They also claimed that our platform posed a "material risk of significant harm" to UK users, though they failed to provide any concrete data or evidence to support this claim.
• April 4, 2025: We formally replied, reiterating that we would not comply with further requests and that their claims of jurisdiction were invalid. We requested they withdraw the information notice.
• April 7, 2025: They responded again, repeating their earlier assertions and pushing for compliance before the final deadline. We did not submit the requested material, and on April 8, 2025, they formally announced the investigation.

Ofcom's Allegations

In their opening letter, Ofcom claims we may have failed to comply with the following obligations under the Online Safety Act:

• Section 9: Conducting and keeping records of an "illegal content risk assessment"
• Section 10: Taking proactive safety measures to mitigate harm from "priority illegal content"
• Sections 20 & 21: Providing clear reporting and complaint mechanisms
• Section 23: Maintaining adequate documentation
• Section 102(8): Responding to an information notice

Their justification for opening this investigation is their belief that some UK residents may still be able to access the site, despite ISP-level blocks, and that content on the platform may present a risk of harm to those users.

Our Legal Position: No Jurisdiction

We have made it absolutely clear to Ofcom: Sanctioned-Suicide.net is not within the scope of UK law. Their continued insistence on jurisdiction is legally indefensible and raises serious concerns about regulatory overreach. To clarify:

• We are a U.S.-based platform. We have no offices, infrastructure, or staff in the UK.
• We are not commercially active in the UK. We generate no revenue from UK users and do not advertise or market our services there.
• Access from the UK is already severely restricted, with most major UK ISPs blocking access due to political pressure.
• We do not "target" the UK under any meaningful interpretation of the law.

Their standard—that a site being "capable of being accessed in the UK" constitutes a jurisdictional link—is dangerously broad. Under that logic, any site on the global internet could fall under Ofcom's purview, regardless of whether it targets the UK or not. This is not only unsustainable—it flies in the face of international legal norms and principles of digital sovereignty.

Selective Enforcement and Inconsistent Standards

We also question the proportionality and focus of Ofcom's actions.

There are numerous social media platforms operating within the UK and profiting from UK users that host massive volumes of self-harm or suicide-related content—often algorithmically recommended. These services are not subject to the same degree of scrutiny or threat of enforcement, despite their real-world influence and scale.

Meanwhile, Sanctioned-Suicide.net is a non-commercial, volunteer-run discussion platform with strict moderation rules against explicitly unlawful content. We do not profit from user activity, and we do not tolerate content that encourages or incites illegal acts. Yet we are being singled out for enforcement based on the premise that some UK residents may be circumventing government restrictions to access our site.

U.S. Law and Executive Order 14149

We have also pointed out to Ofcom that their actions may conflict with U.S. national policy.

In Executive Order 14149, issued by President Donald J. Trump, the United States declared:



This means we are legally and constitutionally obligated to resist foreign attempts to suppress protected speech originating from U.S. soil. If Ofcom proceeds with threats of fines or attempts to pressure U.S.-based service providers to deplatform us or block our infrastructure, we will refer this matter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, as well as Congressional oversight committees for diplomatic escalation and possible retaliatory trade actions.

Where We Stand

• We will not be submitting any internal documentation to Ofcom.
• We reject the assertion that the Online Safety Act applies to our platform.
• We will continue to moderate our site based on our own standards, not foreign laws we are not subject to.
• We have filed a formal procedural complaintunder Section 9 of Ofcom's Online Safety Enforcement Guidance regarding:
  • Their baseless jurisdictional claim
  • Their failure to provide supporting evidence
  • Their use of intimidation tactics
  • Their selective enforcement
  • Their lack of transparency in cross-border regulatory matters

Final Word

We are committed to maintaining an open platform for discussion, subject to our own moderation standards and the laws that apply to us here in the United States.

We will not kowtow to foreign governments attempting to regulate American speech beyond their borders. The principles of digital sovereignty, free expression, and jurisdictional restraint matter—and we will defend them.

If Ofcom or the UK government escalates this further, we are prepared to meet the challenge head-on.

As someone from NOT the UK, I lament that the officials in charge of the UK have created a precident that spells the end for cyber security in the UK. Their massive overreach of policing the internet to appeal to their own rules is not global, and they cannot pretend that it is.

This not only is a breach of privacy for SS with all of these threats the UK is making, but should be permitted to countersue the UK for extorsion and harassment based on basic US principles.

Giving the keys to companies to attack people or companies they don't like without any regard for international law is nauseatingly sickening, tossing lawsuits out left and right without any regards to the background or nature of the Internet and where the site is being hosted from is sick.

Moreover, on the grounds of sanctioned suicide being a risqué topic and website, they're attacking it in hopes that the basic fundamental idea of the website will nullify the law and the first amendment.

It won't.

SS is a forum, a place where people come together to discuss. There are no dangerous substances being shared or murder cults: it's a group of people that are suffering.

What does the UK and Italian governments do when they learn there are people suffering?

Not offer help.

Not try to fix their problems.

Not attempt to reach out to SS with government sponsored mental health/financial resources/police support for abusive families.

"Ban it!"

Then people won't commit suicide anymore.

Maybe instead of banning the discussion.

You should ban

The pain

That these countries

Fail to resolve.

Not like the U.S. cares about mental health either, of course.

 

[SweetSacrifice]

There is a world of difference between the harmful content the legislation is aimed at preventing and the content of this site. I see the alternative often in my line of work. I think Ofcom see the site as an easy target; it is small compared to the likes of TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat etc. and has an identifiable aim (which they wilfully misunderstand.) Material that causes a genuine risk of serious harm, such as threats, cyberbullying and indecent photos is more difficult to locate, hidden by users within social media platforms so almost impossible to control.

Bullying someone, creating nasty images or other media about them may cause someone to despair and want to CTB. That is what the legislation needs to stop. Giving someone already considering suicide a place to discuss it won't make it more likely to happen, it just allows space to consider without fear of judgement and offers information on how to achieve that end in the most peaceful and successful way possible, within the constraints of what is available.

Stand firm. Ofcom want to make an example of you. Don't let them.

xx

 

[Alexandra0]

Low bow to you!
Thank you!

 

[StarryEyed]

Thank you for fighting for us.

Suicide is a symptom in this world - not the disease.

 

[imOK]

From what I heard, SS wasn't their only target. Ever dealt with bureaucrats? I honestly don't think there's some evil internet domination scheme hidden in all this. They just got told to do something, and then do it even if it's bereft of all common sense. That's your average civil servant for you. It's just "Boomers don't understand the internet and the people below them enabling their ignorance" Vol. #903439.

 

[Lefty]

I'd say this is complete B.S. what Ofcom is doing. This site doesn't need more constroversy. This is a free-speech platform.

 

[burneverybridge]

And tell 'em from me they can fuck themselves sideways

 

[Tharg123]

Here's the situation: On 8 April 2025, we received a formal letter from the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, informing us that they had officially opened an investigation into Sanctioned-Suicide.net under the UK's Online Safety Act 2023. While we typically do not comment on regulatory interactions, we feel it is necessary to inform the community of what is happening and how we are responding.

Timeline of Events & Our Response

Let's walk through the sequence that led to this point, so the situation is fully understood:

• March 3, 2025: Ofcom issued a legally binding information request under the Act, demanding a copy of our illegal content risk assessment by March 31. We responded and requested an extension, which they granted.
• March 27–April 1, 2025: We exchanged multiple emails with Ofcom. In these, we clearly stated that we do not operate in the UK, do not target UK users, and are not subject to UK law. We emphasized our platform is U.S.-based, with no infrastructure, operations, or revenue connected to the United Kingdom.
• April 1, 2025: Ofcom insisted that our site is still "capable of being used in the UK" and therefore within their scope, despite most UK ISPs already blocking access to us at the behest of the UK government. They also claimed that our platform posed a "material risk of significant harm" to UK users, though they failed to provide any concrete data or evidence to support this claim.
• April 4, 2025: We formally replied, reiterating that we would not comply with further requests and that their claims of jurisdiction were invalid. We requested they withdraw the information notice.
• April 7, 2025: They responded again, repeating their earlier assertions and pushing for compliance before the final deadline. We did not submit the requested material, and on April 8, 2025, they formally announced the investigation.

Ofcom's Allegations

In their opening letter, Ofcom claims we may have failed to comply with the following obligations under the Online Safety Act:

• Section 9: Conducting and keeping records of an "illegal content risk assessment"
• Section 10: Taking proactive safety measures to mitigate harm from "priority illegal content"
• Sections 20 & 21: Providing clear reporting and complaint mechanisms
• Section 23: Maintaining adequate documentation
• Section 102(8): Responding to an information notice

Their justification for opening this investigation is their belief that some UK residents may still be able to access the site, despite ISP-level blocks, and that content on the platform may present a risk of harm to those users.

Our Legal Position: No Jurisdiction

We have made it absolutely clear to Ofcom: Sanctioned-Suicide.net is not within the scope of UK law. Their continued insistence on jurisdiction is legally indefensible and raises serious concerns about regulatory overreach. To clarify:

• We are a U.S.-based platform. We have no offices, infrastructure, or staff in the UK.
• We are not commercially active in the UK. We generate no revenue from UK users and do not advertise or market our services there.
• Access from the UK is already severely restricted, with most major UK ISPs blocking access due to political pressure.
• We do not "target" the UK under any meaningful interpretation of the law.

Their standard—that a site being "capable of being accessed in the UK" constitutes a jurisdictional link—is dangerously broad. Under that logic, any site on the global internet could fall under Ofcom's purview, regardless of whether it targets the UK or not. This is not only unsustainable—it flies in the face of international legal norms and principles of digital sovereignty.

Selective Enforcement and Inconsistent Standards

We also question the proportionality and focus of Ofcom's actions.

There are numerous social media platforms operating within the UK and profiting from UK users that host massive volumes of self-harm or suicide-related content—often algorithmically recommended. These services are not subject to the same degree of scrutiny or threat of enforcement, despite their real-world influence and scale.

Meanwhile, Sanctioned-Suicide.net is a non-commercial, volunteer-run discussion platform with strict moderation rules against explicitly unlawful content. We do not profit from user activity, and we do not tolerate content that encourages or incites illegal acts. Yet we are being singled out for enforcement based on the premise that some UK residents may be circumventing government restrictions to access our site.

U.S. Law and Executive Order 14149

We have also pointed out to Ofcom that their actions may conflict with U.S. national policy.

In Executive Order 14149, issued by President Donald J. Trump, the United States declared:



This means we are legally and constitutionally obligated to resist foreign attempts to suppress protected speech originating from U.S. soil. If Ofcom proceeds with threats of fines or attempts to pressure U.S.-based service providers to deplatform us or block our infrastructure, we will refer this matter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, as well as Congressional oversight committees for diplomatic escalation and possible retaliatory trade actions.

Where We Stand

• We will not be submitting any internal documentation to Ofcom.
• We reject the assertion that the Online Safety Act applies to our platform.
• We will continue to moderate our site based on our own standards, not foreign laws we are not subject to.
• We have filed a formal procedural complaintunder Section 9 of Ofcom's Online Safety Enforcement Guidance regarding:
  • Their baseless jurisdictional claim
  • Their failure to provide supporting evidence
  • Their use of intimidation tactics
  • Their selective enforcement
  • Their lack of transparency in cross-border regulatory matters

Final Word

We are committed to maintaining an open platform for discussion, subject to our own moderation standards and the laws that apply to us here in the United States.

We will not kowtow to foreign governments attempting to regulate American speech beyond their borders. The principles of digital sovereignty, free expression, and jurisdictional restraint matter—and we will defend them.

If Ofcom or the UK government escalates this further, we are prepared to meet the challenge head-on.

I wish you weren't focussing your case from the US 'freedom of speech' vs UK 'foreign government is trying to silence a U.S-based forum' angle. It feels Trump-ish. I am writing from the UK. But I kind of understand why you might want to do so from the perspective of a more likely positive outcome from a legal perspective.

For me it is a moral argument. It is a case of 'people' in the UK - including the BBC, Ofcom and, sadly, even the Samaritans, as well as the 'general public' and bereaved loved ones, misunderstanding what the suicidal mind is like and what it sometimes needs.

I feel your case would be more convincing, on a human level, if it were more aligned to the argument given by some of your supporters on X (a platform I generally dislike). For example: 'This forum supported me during my darkest time — when no UK mental health service was accessible. It kept me alive. The state of mental health services in the UK is shocking. That is what needs addressing, not this' and: 'I still don't understand how we haven't evolved past hasty generalization. Everyone acts like children, wanting to hate faster than just trying to understand or critically think. There were maybe a few people who promoted suicide and self harm, and they're generalizing us all.'

It is complicated, nuanced, dark, not where 'normal' people go.

The UK is (relatively) a good place. It has got it wrong in this instance in my opinion. I don't want to use a VPN. I have no shame in or fear of what I am saying.

I would like to know who the woman in Merton (London) is who has been arrested 'on suspicion of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another' [BBC} is, and who her lawyers are.

 

[ToTheEgress]

Given that you don't have any assets in the UK, what can they even do to enforce any judgement they make? They have already forced a bunch of UK ISPs to block SS, and as far as I see that's the full extent of what they can do.

 

[Mircea]

I find it ironic how even this forum, which I visit looking for a solution, is hit by one of the problems that required me to seek out said solution. Humanity is descending into an authoritarian rule not seen in 100 years, most Western nations are affected with the UK among the first to go the way of Communist China: It's no longer just autonomy over our bodies that's under attack, but autonomy over our very thoughts and free will which is what censorship in any form represents. When thought becomes a crime and you're expected to justify even opinions or artistic creations to a morality police, this is no world for me nor a society I can tolerate being anywhere near.

My suggestion would be to simply ignore the UK and whatever comes out of there; That place has fallen, it's no longer a democracy but Europe's little North Korea. Attempting to appease the British regime is like trying to appease Putin so you don't get blocked in Russia or Xi so the CCP allows the site in China: Unless there's regime change to (re)establish a democracy, there's sadly nothing we can do for them.

Use a VPN or other tools to circumvent their thought control apparatus. At some point they may try to criminalize even free and open software, nothing can be put past a regime of tyrants detached from modern day reality, but especially until then there are solutions and always will be.

 

[Himeasa]

Those who come here primarily do so to seek out alternative views on CTB—a more nuanced perspective, not one which is categorically against CTB such as the typical psychiatric and psychotherapeutic resources. Nobody is being pushed to CTB here, to the contrary: there is decent scrutiny and self-regulation evident in user responses, and people come to this forum because they have already been inoculated to the idea previously or otherwise they wouldn't be seeking out something like this. It takes nothing more than an unbiased approach to see that.

The UK government has failed in its policies and left people in pain, and at the end of the road those people come here. The forum is merely being rendered a scapegoat to avoid reflection upon the government's own austerity-imposed cruelties which, on one hand, leave people desperate and bereft of material support; and on the other hand, denies them the release of CTB. This deplorable state both of mental health resources as well as the socioeconomic reality of many people in the UK leaves them between a rock and a hard place with the categorical repudiation of the very idea of legal CTB. So where would they be going from there—a situation that is made a living hell due to a failure of state resources, but also forbids fair means of accessing CTB via state resources? Should they be left dangling on a mental hamstring perpetually? Is that what the government expects? Of course they're going to take things into their own hands. The successive UK governments that caused this mess should clean room rather than go around blaming others for their mistakes. I'm repeating myself in this post, but the hypocrisy and scapegoating are absolutely infuriating.

 

[Tharg123]

I find it ironic how even this forum, which I visit looking for a solution, is hit by one of the problems that required me to seek out said solution. Humanity is descending into an authoritarian rule not seen in 100 years, most Western nations are affected with the UK among the first to go the way of Communist China: It's no longer just autonomy over our bodies that's under attack, but autonomy over our very thoughts and free will which is what censorship in any form represents. When thought becomes a crime and you're expected to justify even opinions or artistic creations to a morality police, this is no world for me nor a society I can tolerate being anywhere near.

My suggestion would be to simply ignore the UK and whatever comes out of there; That place has fallen, it's no longer a democracy but Europe's little North Korea. Attempting to appease the British regime is like trying to appease Putin so you don't get blocked in Russia or Xi so the CCP allows the site in China: Unless there's regime change to (re)establish a democracy, there's sadly nothing we can do for them.

Use a VPN or other tools to circumvent their thought control apparatus. At some point they may try to criminalize even free and open software, nothing can be put past a regime of tyrants detached from modern day reality, but especially until then there are solutions and always will be.

I am from the UK and I completely disagree with you. Yes, we have some problems, as with this case, but to say 'it's no longer a democracy but Europe's little North Korea' and calling our society a 'regime' is untrue and insulting.

I'm disgusted also that Samaritans have a statement on their webpage saying they support OFCOM in this. I emailed in protest but heard nothing back.

Me too.

View attachment 163968

"believe he was influenced", "hold him responsible"

Funny how these clowns never ask what compelled these people to find this website to begin with. It couldn't possibly be that they're going through severe mental distress and that their home lives aren't providing the support necessary to bring them down from wanting to CTB. It's always these disingenuous "families" pretending as if everything was fine before "da evil suicide forum" came into their lives.


"a user announcing their decision to commit suicide by ingesting a poison. The post was met with many positive replies of encouragement."

Yes, because we actually believe in mercy you disgusting monkeys. Know what else we believe in? RECOVERY! However, that doesn't fit into the narrative of this place being some kind of suicide cult. The recovery section is also on the front page, and I GUARANTEE more people have decided not to CTB because of SaSu than otherwise. This might be crazy to understand, but most suicidal people DON'T want to commit suicide. They just want their pain to end, but our world does not offer the necessary reliefs to do this with. Want people to stop CTB? FIX THIS GARBAGE PLANET THEN!


"call 988 for assistance and support in a mental health crisis."

If these "journalists" actually did any real investigative work, they'd quickly find how many people here HAVE reached out to these "support" services, among other support networks, and those FAILED them. It's NPC answering machine bullshit, but none of them want to face the hard truth that life is fucking awful for a lot of us, and "there's hope" doesn't mean shit if there isn't any actual material improvements in our lives. For the worst off, there simply is no way to materially improve their conditions, so suicide is a mercy.

I'm going to start calling these drones "anti-mercy", because ultimately that's what they're fighting against. They don't care about the "preciousness" or "sanctity" of life, because they're more than willing to make a life suffer because it makes them feel all warm and fuzzy for "helping". None of them want to admit that sometimes letting somebody just die IS helping. We already make exceptions for some people who are terminally ill, but of course those cases are usually physical conditions and since nobody likes admitting that mental health is just as important as the physical, society continues on acting as if mental conditions just don't qualify for mercy.

Biggest irony is this is being led by TERF Island where they don't give a flying fuck about the trans kids killing themselves because of the government policies stripping them of their healthcare. How dare we not want to suffer right?

I was with you until the 'TERF Island' bit...

 

[Mircea]

I am from the UK and I completely disagree with you. Yes, we have some problems, as with this case, but to say 'it's no longer a democracy but Europe's little North Korea' and calling our society a 'regime' is untrue and insulting.

I understand your opinion and didn't mean to insult. I have my own opinion still, based both on what I heard and what I personally had to go through because of such tyrants destroying the internet and the free world as a whole.

Please understand the UK arrested ordinary people for discussing news on social media including sharing news articles, because the government didn't like the narrative whether it was even true or false. Some months ago the parents of a disabled young girl were arrested in front of their child and kept in solitary confinement for a day, all because they spoke badly of the school their daughter went to in a private chat group. Not even going to list the old classics, like the man arrested from his home because he "posted a meme that caused someone anxiety".

So again, I don't mean to insult and it's just my opinion... but to me the British leadership made it a goal to make the UK Europe's North Korea. I mean yeah, you aren't executed and men are allowed to have long hair and such... but beyond that it's clearly going for a similar regime that controls people through terror and ensures the state is involved in every aspect of your life. I think more should have the courage to label formerly democratic nations that have become third world dictatorships as such, instead of giving in to the understandable instinct of saying "yes it's a bit bad but come on such comparisons are too much because surely it couldn't be", otherwise we only encourage the degradation and ultimate destruction of the free world without even noticing it happen.

 

[Tharg123]

I understand your opinion and didn't mean to insult. I have my own opinion still, based both on what I heard and what I personally had to go through because of such tyrants destroying the internet and the free world as a whole.

Please understand the UK arrested ordinary people for discussing news on social media including sharing news articles, because the government didn't like the narrative whether it was even true or false. Some months ago the parents of a disabled young girl were arrested in front of their child and kept in solitary confinement for a day, all because they spoke badly of the school their daughter went to in a private chat group. Not even going to list the old classics, like the man arrested from his home because he "posted a meme that caused someone anxiety".

So again, I don't mean to insult and it's just my opinion... but to me the British leadership made it a goal to make the UK Europe's North Korea. I mean yeah, you aren't executed and men are allowed to have long hair and such... but beyond that it's clearly going for a similar regime that controls people through terror and ensures the state is involved in every aspect of your life. I think more should have the courage to label formerly democratic nations that have become third world dictatorships as such, instead of giving in to the understandable instinct of saying "yes it's a bit bad but come on such comparisons are too much because surely it couldn't be", otherwise we only encourage the degradation and ultimate destruction of the free world without even noticing it happen.

I suggest spending some time here. It's not perfect but I can see zero other countries that are. I'm not living under a regime being controlled through terror, at least no more than anywhere else is. It's a good place and I would much, much rather be here where depsite the occasional cock-up we have some sort of (fairly rubbish in some ways but really good in others) free healthcare available to all, some kind of social security, a greater degree of financial equality (although again far from perfect) than the USA does, and so on. We are, very slightly, 'on the left' - but only in comparison to the rampant capitalism and individualism of the US. There are some cases of lack of free speech and occasional things I get irate about here, but when challenged things usually, slowly, change. We are freer than most of the world and this narrative that we are not (through Vance and his ilk), in my opinion, threatens and undermines the actual freedoms, albeit imperfect, that we have been slowly and imperfectly building for decades, centuries. I would say: be careful, don't over-egg, distrust what you are told from the 'alt media' who are at least as suspect as the 'mainstream media' (and in my opinion much more so).

 

[6138]

Please understand the UK arrested ordinary people for discussing news on social media including sharing news articles, because the government didn't like the narrative whether it was even true or false. Some months ago the parents of a disabled young girl were arrested in front of their child and kept in solitary confinement for a day, all because they spoke badly of the school their daughter went to in a private chat group. Not even going to list the old classics, like the man arrested from his home because he "posted a meme that caused someone anxiety".

Please tell me you're joking?? Like this is some kind of social media hoax or something?

I don't mean any disrespect, but this is what happens when you let these excessively politically-sensitive types run a country! You end up with extreme censorship and a borderline dystopian society!

I really hope the UK isn't that bad...

 

[Tharg123]

Please tell me you're joking?? Like this is some kind of social media hoax or something?

I don't mean any disrespect, but this is what happens when you let these excessively politically-sensitive types run a country! You end up with extreme censorship and a borderline dystopian society!

I really hope the UK isn't that bad.

the UK is not like this. I don't recognise it at all from this probably X-generated version of the world... I have lived here for 56 years and can assure you. Don't be scare-mongered. Someone somewhere is pushing an anti-UK and anti-Europe narrative which is false dangerous and your loss if you believe it.

 

[6138]

the UK is not like this. I don't recognise it at all from this probably X-generated version of the world... I have lived here for 56 years and can assure you. Don't be scare-mongered. Someone somewhere is pushing an anti-UK and anti-Europe narrative which is false dangerous and your loss if you believe it.

Yeah, that's what I was hoping/thinking.

I'm from Ireland, I've been to the UK many, times, it's an amazing country, and it always struck me as super chilled out, you know? Like people just have this "keep calm and carry on" mentality? Which is why I was so suprised to see the post the user above made (People getting arrested for posting memes "causing anxiety"? What??").

Glad to know at least some of it is scaremongering!

 

[Mircea]

Please tell me you're joking?? Like this is some kind of social media hoax or something?

I don't mean any disrespect, but this is what happens when you let these excessively politically-sensitive types run a country! You end up with extreme censorship and a borderline dystopian society!

I really hope the UK isn't that bad...

This is a video I still have in my history from one of the incidents I described, didn't realize it was as soon as a month ago. I saw many articles but can't find them all, it was a big deal though so it should be easy to find: I believe SkyNews was more on the conservative side, I don't agree with them on a lot though they described this one well.

I don't mean to spread fearmongering to be clear; Just an observer of what's been happening worldwide and disgruntled with it. There's been a drift toward authoritarianism for years now, the UK isn't the only place but does have some of the most extreme cases. The state of the world right now is saddening and worrying... enough that one of the reasons I'm here is hoping not to catch what comes next, seeing the trend is bad to worse while the world I hoped I'd see is unlikely to exist here.

 

[Tharg123]

Yeah, that's what I was hoping/thinking.

I'm from Ireland, I've been to the UK many, times, it's an amazing country, and it always struck me as super chilled out, you know? Like people just have this "keep calm and carry on" mentality? Which is why I was so suprised to see the post the user above made (People getting arrested for posting memes "causing anxiety"? What??").

Glad to know at least some of it is scaremongering!

I imagine there's a grain of truth in all the 'scary stories' but to turn that into a caricature of a whole country which is on the whole pretty sane, with some notable exceptions like this case against SS (in my view), is all wrong and I wanted to say so. No hard feelings to Mircea. People on here are from all different backgrounds, countries, but we all have something important in common.

This is a video I still have in my history from one of the incidents I described, didn't realize it was as soon as a month ago. I saw many articles but can't find them all, it was a big deal though so it should be easy to find: I believe SkyNews was more on the conservative side, I don't agree with them on a lot though they described this one well.

I don't mean to spread fearmongering to be clear; Just an observer of what's been happening worldwide and disgruntled with it. There's been a drift toward authoritarianism for years now, the UK isn't the only place but does have some of the most extreme cases. The state of the world right now is saddening and worrying... enough that one of the reasons I'm here is hoping not to catch what comes next, seeing the trend is bad to worse while the world I hoped I'd see is unlikely to exist here.

Well yes, those sorts of things are absurd. But that doesn't make us an authoritarian regime. None of this is 'secret' - I'd seen them on the 'mainstream' news here. It's just the police and other authorities being stupid sometimes and they are generally called out, and resolved. Ish. I see you're getting 'digests' of these all from one source as if they're typical. Sky news has its own owners and agendas... If you look at the origins of each story they are a bit more complicated - but if you look up what happened with each in the end, you'll find out sanity prevailed (more or less). Yes, there are things to guard against in all countries including Aus and the US and the UK - but the UK is one of the better ones in my opinion and experience - and even though I've had personal knowledge of some crap here I bet if you look for it you'll find it in most countries. Anyway, sending you good vibes Mircea, I'd say take the UK off your list of things to feel awful about. :)

 

[6138]

I don't mean to spread fearmongering to be clear; Just an observer of what's been happening worldwide and disgruntled with it. There's been a drift toward authoritarianism for years now, the UK isn't the only place but does have some of the most extreme cases. The state of the world right now is saddening and worrying... enough that one of the reasons I'm here is hoping not to catch what comes next, seeing the trend is bad to worse while the world I hoped I'd see is unlikely to exist here.

I think there's definitely an element of truth to what you're saying, I have heard a few worrying stories like yours from the UK.

I guess it's like with anything, there is some truth to it, and some lies, you just have to separate one from the other?

It's hard to trust anything you read or see these days, even the "mainstream" news sites are heavily biased. I mean the present us as psychopathic lunatics trying to encourage everyone around us into committin suicide, and that simply isn't true.

None of this is 'secret' - I'd seen them on the 'mainstream' news here. It's just the police and other authorities being stupid sometimes and they are generally called out, and resolved. Ish. I see you're getting 'digests' of these all from one source as if they're typical. Sky news has its own owners and agendas...

Yeah, that's exactly true. I would be interested to know exactly what the guy got arrested for (Could there be more to the story than a simple "meme"?) but in these cases there is usually a lot of bias on both sides.

 

[anonymous2025]

Here is an article about this.

First Ofcom probe launched into suicide site exposed by BBC

BBC News found the forum, which has thousands of members, is linked to at least 50 deaths in the UK.

www.bbc.com

 

[Blue Dream]

Here is an article about this.

First Ofcom probe launched into suicide site exposed by BBC

BBC News found the forum, which has thousands of members, is linked to at least 50 deaths in the UK.

www.bbc.com

You know what else is linked to suicide usually? An unavailable or harmful support network.
People let their loved ones slip through the cracks then blame this site for providing a painless solution to a problem that would be there anyway regardless of the existence of this place.