Dear Gab Supporters,
The battleground has shifted, and the stakes have been raised. Our relentless fight against the UK government's tyrannical Online Safety Act (OSA) has now intersected with crucial international trade negotiations between the United States and the United Kingdom. Thanks to your support our legal team has been able to make in-roads with communications on our behalf to the White House, the DOJ, and other relevant government agencies regarding our battle for free speech against the UK government. Thank you to those who have donated to support these efforts, you played a crucial role in helping us get to this point.
Reports confirm that the US government is actively pressuring the UK within these trade talks, demanding assurances that the draconian Online Safety Act will not cripple the operations of US-based digital platforms like Gab.
Here's the situation:
- The US and UK are negotiating a significant trade deal, driven partly by the UK's desire to offset potential new US tariffs.
- A major sticking point is the UK's Online Safety Act – the very legislation demanding Gab implement censorship or face crippling fines (up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue) and even potential criminal charges against individuals like me!
- The US, historically protective of its tech companies (often citing principles similar to Section 230 which limits platform liability), is pushing back. They are reportedly seeking provisions in the trade deal that would prevent the UK from holding US platforms liable for user-generated content and imposing other restrictive measures mandated by the OSA.
This development is a direct consequence of the extreme overreach we've been warning you about. The UK's attempt to export its censorship regime and attack American companies is now meeting resistance at the highest levels of international negotiation.
Why This Matters:
- Validation: This confirms that the OSA isn't just a threat to Gab; it's recognized by the US government as a significant impediment to international commerce and potentially harmful to fundamental principles like free expression online. The concerns raised by Big Tech companies about privacy (like scanning messages) and over-censorship mirror our own warnings.
- Leverage: The UK's desire for a favorable trade deal gives the US leverage. This pressure could force the UK to reconsider or dilute the most harmful aspects of the OSA that target platforms like ours.
- The Core Conflict: This highlights the fundamental clash: The UK's authoritarian drive to control online speech versus the American principle (however imperfectly applied by Big Tech) of platform freedom and user expression. Gab stands firmly on the side of free speech.
However, we must remain vigilant. While this US pressure is a positive sign, there's no guarantee the UK will fully back down. They may try to carve out exceptions, find compromises that still harm platforms committed to real free speech, or prioritize their domestic censorship agenda over the trade deal benefits. Furthermore, the US negotiators' primary concern might be protecting large corporations, potentially overlooking platforms like Gab that truly champion free speech principles.
Our fight continues, regardless of these negotiations. We cannot rely on diplomats trading favors. We must continue to build our independent infrastructure, strengthen our legal defenses, and stand firm on our principles. The threat of massive fines and the outrageous possibility of criminal charges against individuals for upholding free speech remain potent weapons in the UK's arsenal.
This situation underscores the critical need for resources to navigate this complex international battle and withstand the ongoing attacks, including the economic warfare targeting our infrastructure providers.
The Fight Intensifies – Support Gab's Stand Against Global Censorship: [DONATE NOW]
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