Elon Musk's social media platform X has issued a stark warning that Britain's new online safety legislation poses a serious risk to freedom of expression through overly aggressive implementation.

The company, owned by Musk, released a statement on Friday asserting that the Online Safety Act's enforcement approach could lead to the suppression of legitimate speech.

X argued that whilst the legislation's goals were commendable, the extensive scope of regulatory powers threatened to eclipse these positive aims.

The platform said: "When lawmakers approved these measures, they made a conscientious decision to increase censorship in the name of 'online safety'."

The Government has firmly rejected calls to reverse the legislation, with officials confirming on Monday that no repeal was planned and implementation would proceed swiftly alongside communications regulator Ofcom.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle launched a fierce defence of the act on Tuesday, claiming those seeking its removal were "on the side of predators".

Public opposition has grown significantly, with an online petition demanding the act's repeal attracting more than 468,000 signatures.

Critics spanning politicians, free-speech advocates and content producers have argued the regulations have been applied excessively, leading to the removal of lawful material.

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X raised concerns that platforms were given unreasonably short deadlines to implement required safeguards, creating unnecessary pressure on companies.

The social media site claimed that even organisations meeting compliance standards continued to face enforcement action and potential financial penalties, which it argued incentivised excessive content removal.

X questioned whether British citizens fully understood the compromises being made, asking: "It is fair to ask if UK citizens were equally aware of the trade-off being made."

The company suggested this regulatory environment pushed platforms towards precautionary over-censorship rather than measured content moderation.

PRESS ASSOCIATION | SORA | GOOGLE TRENDS | GB NEWS | Online Safety Act adds mandatory age checks to webistes that host adult content, dangerous stunts and challenges, online bullying, and a host of other categories

X emphasised that protecting freedom whilst encouraging technological advancement and safeguarding young people required a more measured strategy.

The platform added: "It's safe to say that significant changes must take place to achieve these objectives in the UK."

Meanwhile, Ofcom has begun exercising its new powers, announcing on Thursday that it had initiated compliance investigations into four operators managing a combined total of 34 adult content websites.

The Online Safety Act establishes stringent obligations for major platforms including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X, alongside adult content sites, mandating child protection measures and the removal of unlawful material.

YOUGOV | Ahead of the introduction of the Online Safety Act, YouGov released a poll that showed widespread support for the measures

In a press conference on Monday, Chair of Reform's DOGE Unit Zia Yusuf declared that if Nigel Farage becomes Prime Minister in the next Government, the party will "repeal the Online Safety Act".

The Party highlighted two sections of the Act, which they claim are an "assault on free speech", Section 44 and Section 179.

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin branded the rules "censorship through the back door".

She told GB News: "This act is nothing more than censorship and surveillance through the back door.

"It's called an online Safety Act, and most people would think that sounds good and sensible, but the fact is, what's hidden in the small print is nothing short of quashing our democratic right to free speech."