UK says tech crackdown will proceed despite US intervention
8 reported
The British government has stated that White House displeasure over a potential under-16 social media ban will not stop the UK from imposing restrictions on tech platforms. Technology secretary Liz Kendall told the Guardian she was not concerned “in the slightest” by the Trump administration’s intervention, after the US embassy in London posted a notice warning against a ban. Kendall added that nine out of 10 respondents to a government poll supported an under-16 ban. The government is set to announce some form of social media ban for under-16s next week, alongside other restrictions such as a possible block on conversations with strangers on gaming platforms and limits on AI chatbot use. A Downing Street spokesperson said the UK will always act in its national interest and protecting young people is no different. The US embassy notice argued against “prescribed one-size-fits-all government restrictions” and said age-gating for 13- to 16-year-olds would not work. The Molly Rose Foundation has warned against an immediate ban for apps deemed highly risky, instead recommending strict safety standards before any ban.
What’s reported
Technology secretary Liz Kendall said she was not concerned “in the slightest” by the Trump administration’s intervention.
Nine out of 10 respondents to a government poll supported an under-16 ban, according to Kendall.
The government is set to announce some form of social media ban for under-16s next week.
Other restrictions under consideration include a possible block on conversations with strangers on gaming platforms and limits on AI chatbot use.
The US embassy notice warned against “prescribed one-size-fits-all government restrictions” and said age-gating for 13- to 16-year-olds would not work.
The Trump administration called on the UK to give parents “robust tools” to manage children’s privacy settings and account controls.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has launched a legal challenge against the UK’s media regulator over fees and fines under the Online Safety Act.
The Molly Rose Foundation has warned against an immediate ban for apps deemed highly risky, instead recommending strict safety standards.
Key figures
Liz Kendall, technology secretary
JD Vance, US vice-president (mentioned as having criticized UK free speech)
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta (mentioned as parent company of Facebook and Instagram)
Sources: The Guardian
