Under pressure from the UK’s online regulator, a pro-suicide forum has restricted access to users in the country, following attempts to increase online safety. The forum was widely available before this restriction and is believed to be based in the US. The forum has been linked to more than 50 deaths in the UK, which led to an investigation by BBC News and a statement by Ofcom, whose brief was extended by the recent Online Safety Act.
As a result of Ofcom’s work under the new regime, Ofcom notified the site’s administrators, who took the decision to make all content unavailable in the UK for the time being and now restrict access to only UK-based, registered users.
Multiple official warnings about the website had been sent to the UK authorities previously, but the forum remained active. In response, major broadband providers have begun blocking the website for their customers.
Critics of the site have welcomed the tightening of viewing options concerning such dangerous and life-ruining material. Meanwhile, users of the forum itself have responded to the BBC’s investigation, with some concerned that such regulation could be seen as censorship and have argued that the site serves to help those who suffer from suicidal thoughts. Nevertheless, given the tragic consequences of suicide, the decision to clamp down on those who would promote and support it appears justified
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More