The Online Safety Act is Anything But Safe | The Reasonable Adjustment

The Online Safety Act is Anything But Safe

The UK’s new Online Safety Act is being sold as a solution to harmful content — but the reality is far more dangerous. Behind the headlines about protecting children and stopping crime lies a sweeping assault on personal privacy, encrypted communications, and our right to exist online without surveillance.

What the Act Actually Does

At its core, the Online Safety Act gives the UK government and Ofcom the power to force tech companies to monitor and scan user content — including private messages. Platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and even smaller community forums could be compelled to build tools that undermine encryption or monitor user behaviour at scale.

This affects everyone, but it’s especially concerning for vulnerable groups. For neurodivergent people, disabled users, survivors of abuse, or anyone with a conviction history trying to rebuild — the ability to communicate safely and privately is not optional.

This Isn’t Safety. It’s Surveillance.

The law threatens end-to-end encryption under the guise of “child safety” and “preventing illegal content.” But once you introduce surveillance infrastructure, it’s almost impossible to limit how it’s used — or abused.

And there’s little meaningful recourse. Once privacy is gone, it’s gone.

What Can You Do About It?

Legally, there’s not much the average person can do to repeal a law that’s already passed. But there are steps you can take to minimise your digital footprint and protect yourself from unnecessary exposure.

✅ Use a privacy-respecting VPN

One of the most respected tools in the privacy world is Mullvad VPN. They don’t track users, don’t require an email to sign up, and they’ve built a reputation for doing one thing well — protecting your internet traffic from surveillance and profiling.

✅ Avoid platforms that don’t respect encryption

If a service won’t commit to protecting private messages, or worse, welcomes government surveillance, consider moving elsewhere. Tools like Signal, Matrix, or even email services like ProtonMail still fight for your privacy.

✅ Speak out

You don’t need to be a legal expert to raise concerns. Contact your MP. Support organisations like Open Rights Group. Tell your community what this means in real life — not just in legal jargon.

This Website Exists Because Systems Often Fail

I created The Reasonable Adjustment because I know what it’s like to be failed by services, shut out by charities, and ignored when I asked for help. The Online Safety Act is just another example of a system designed without disabled, neurodivergent, or marginalised people in mind.

We deserve better. And until that changes, we protect ourselves. We inform others. We fight back — with tools, not fear.

— Kieron JH