Fact Check: Google Did Not Claim UK Regulator Ordered Social Media ‘Hate Speech’ Removals

Google Raises Freedom of Expression Concerns Over UK Online Safety Proposals

Google has expressed concerns about potential threats to freedom of expression in response to proposals from Ofcom, Britain’s independent media regulator, regarding implementation of the Online Safety Act. However, claims circulating on social media that Google received specific takedown requests for “hate speech” content from Ofcom appear to be unfounded.

Posts shared widely on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok in late December alleged that “Google has exposed that they received a series of requests from the OFCOM regulator to censor content that they considered ‘hate speech’.” Some posts went further, claiming Google had “declared The Labour Party is a threat to free speech.”

These claims gained traction after the UK edition of the International Business Times published an article quoting Google as warning that Britain risked “authoritarian irrelevance” in its approach to online safety legislation. However, Google has confirmed to Reuters that it never used this phrase in any of its submissions to UK authorities.

The Online Safety Act, passed by the UK Parliament in 2023, establishes strict requirements for online platforms to address criminal activity, illegal content, and child safety issues. Critics of the legislation have argued that the rules could be applied too broadly, potentially leading to censorship of legal content.

When contacted by Reuters, Google explicitly stated it was not aware of any requests from Ofcom to remove specific content. An Ofcom spokesperson clarified the regulator’s role is to ensure websites and apps have proper systems in place to comply with the Online Safety Act, not to direct platforms to remove specific posts or accounts.

Google’s actual submission to Ofcom’s consultation, published online on December 11, expressed concerns about a specific proposal that would hide potentially illegal content from users until platforms could review it. Google argued this measure appeared to create a “general monitoring obligation” that could infringe on freedom of expression, as content initially flagged as “potentially illegal” might ultimately be determined to be legal.

“We will consider all responses to our consultation carefully before making our final decisions next year,” an Ofcom spokesperson told Reuters. “There is nothing in our proposals that would require sites and apps to take down legal content. In fact, in carrying out their duties to keep people safe, the Online Safety Act requires platforms to have particular regard to the importance of protecting users’ right to freedom of expression.”

The spokesperson added that the proposals aim to prevent the rapid spread of potentially harmful illegal content, particularly during crisis situations: “If illegal content spreads rapidly online, it can lead to severe and widespread harm, especially during a crisis. Recommender systems can exacerbate this.”

The consultation process represents a critical phase in determining how the Online Safety Act will be implemented in practice. Tech companies, civil liberties advocates, and government officials continue to debate the appropriate balance between online safety and freedom of expression.

Britain’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology declined to provide on-the-record comments when approached by Reuters regarding this matter. The International Business Times did not respond to requests for clarification about their reporting.

The misinformation surrounding Google’s position highlights the contentious nature of online content regulation and the challenges governments face in crafting policies that both protect users and preserve freedom of expression in the digital age.