A New Era: 1984 in 2025

After a 4-month hiatus yet again, I've emerged into a new, more divided world; with the Americans being under the thumb of Donald John Trump for a second time, and at home in the UK under Sir Keir Starmer of the UK Labour Party.

And to add to this turbulent year, in the early morning of the 25th of July 2025, the UK parliament passed an amendment to the Online Safety Act enacted by the previous government in 2023, which now requires social media companies to verify UK users that they are over 18 years of age.

*This was received extremely poorly by the public, with many news outlets stating that VPN, or Virtual Private Network, sales surged by 1800% to avoid passing user data to third-party companies simply to access 18+ content. I should note this isn't just relating to pornography, but anything that is deemed 'harmful to children', which makes the legislation extremely vague. Presenting a clear affront to digital privacy and free speech under the umbrella term of 'protecting the children'. As a result of this draconian, or rather, authoritarian legislation emanating from Westminster, I chose to pay a flat fee (kept confidential) to the VPN service SurfShark VPN.

The UK Online Safety Act and the concept of Big Brother from George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984" both address themes of surveillance, control, and the regulation of information. While the Online Safety Act aims to create a safer digital environment, it raises concerns about privacy and freedom of expression reminiscent of the oppressive regime in "1984."

Overview of the UK Online Safety Act

The UK Online Safety Act is designed to regulate online content and protect users from harmful material. Key features include:

• Content Moderation: Platforms must monitor and remove illegal content, including hate speech and child exploitation.

• Accountability: Companies face penalties for failing to comply with safety standards.

• User Protection: Emphasis on protecting vulnerable users, particularly children, from harmful online interactions.

Big Brother in "1984"

In "1984," Big Brother represents an omnipresent government that exercises total control over its citizens. Key elements include:

• Surveillance: Constant monitoring of individuals through telescreens and informants.

• Thought Control: Manipulation of information and history to maintain power and suppress dissent.

• Lack of Privacy: Personal freedoms are sacrificed for the sake of state security.

Comparative Analysis

While the Online Safety Act is intended to protect users, it can be compared to the authoritarian control of Big Brother in several ways:

Surveillance and Monitoring

Both the Online Safety Act and Big Brother involve monitoring behaviour. The Act requires platforms to track and manage user-generated content, which some critics argue can lead to invasive surveillance practices similar to those depicted in "1984."

Control of Information

The regulation of online content under the Act can be seen as a form of information control. Just as the Party in "1984" manipulates facts to maintain its narrative, the Act's enforcement mechanisms could potentially lead to censorship and a restricted flow of information.

Impact on Freedom of Expression

The Online Safety Act aims to protect users but may inadvertently stifle free speech, paralleling the oppressive censorship in "1984." Users may self-censor for fear of repercussions, mirroring the thought control exercised by the Party.

Conclusion

The UK Online Safety Act, while well-intentioned in its mission to create a safer online environment, raises important questions about privacy, freedom, and the potential for authoritarian control. The parallels to Orwell's Big Brother serve as a cautionary reminder of the delicate balance between safety and liberty in the digital age.

*: Anything marked with a star is my own opinion, not reflective of any news bias.

Right now, I'm focusing on myself, ignoring the news, and training for the September 2025 Adaptive Games based in Northampton, taking place on Sunday, the 7th of September, before my father undergoes a second leg surgery to aid his bone healing after 6 months in a walking boot and on crutches.

I'm unsure when my next post will come, be it closer to year's end or early 2026.

But for now, I'll see you soon. :)