Keir Starmer announces fight against AI content and age restrictions on social media

The British government under the leadership of Keir Starmer is preparing an unprecedented offensive against tech companies. The Prime Minister announced on Sunday that he will ask Parliament to expand the executive authority's competencies in regulating internet access. The main goal is to protect children from dynamically changing digital threats, including harmful content generated by artificial intelligence. Starmer emphasized that technology is developing faster than the law, requiring immediate legislative correction. In 2023, the United Kingdom adopted the Online Safety Act, which imposed on social media platforms the obligation to remove illegal content, but the dynamic development of generative artificial intelligence has made these regulations urgently require updating. A key element of the reform is to subject AI chatbot producers to the same rigors as traditional social media. The government is considering introducing a ban on using social media platforms for people under 16 years of age, following legal solutions tested in Australia. Companies that do not comply with the new moderation requirements must expect gigantic financial penalties or a complete ban on providing services in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister noted that there will be no tolerance for algorithms that amplify illegal content or manipulate users. 16 years — proposed age limit for social media The decision to tighten the course was made after a series of controversies related to the Grok tool owned by Elon Musk. This tool was used to create sexualized images of public figures, sparking a wave of criticism in the British Parliament. Starmer announced that criminal liability will also include algorithm manipulation to promote disinformation. These actions fit into a broader European trend – similar regulations are already being planned by governments in Spain, Greece, and Slovenia. „Technology is changing faster than our law and we must fix this to protect our children.” — Keir Starmer Projected changes in internet regulations: Subject scope: Only social media platforms → All AI companies and chatbots; Age limit: No strict government regulations → Possible ban under 16 years of age; Penalties for algorithms: Limited liability → Criminalization of algorithm manipulation „Dirty Sánchez es un tirano y un traidor a los españoles” (Elon Musk) — The billionaire's statement is a glaring example of a personal attack on the Prime Minister of Spain, having no substantive connection to the British online safety bill, and serving only to escalate political conflict. Emphasizes the need to protect children from the toxic influence of tech corporations and supports state interventionism in the name of higher social values. | Points to potential threats to freedom of speech on the internet and the risk of excessive censorship under the pretext of minor safety.