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Before I clicked, I thought "I bet this is in the UK". This is the country where you can be prosecuted for possessing porn featuring a 'tiger' which is actuall

by J-dawg 11y ago

Before I clicked, I thought "I bet this is in the UK". This is the country where you can be prosecuted for possessing porn featuring a 'tiger' which is actually a man in a tiger suit. [0] This is also the country where you can be prosecuted for possessing porn that is sent to you unsolicited via Whatsapp. [1] This is also the country where you can be convicted for tweeting a bad joke, lose your job in the process, and have to go to one of the highest courts in the land to get it overturned [2] The 2008 'extreme porn' law is one of a host of extremely fucking terrifying laws that allow the authorities to essentially destroy your life on a whim (see also: Communications Act 2003, Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006). It doesn't matter if the evidence isn't credible, they can drag you through the courts and ruin your reputation without ever getting a conviction. Combine this with one of the most effective mass surveillance programs in the world, you realise we have already built a ready-made turnkey authoritarian dictatorship. The really scary part is that nobody seems to give a shit. [0] https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/andrew-holland-tiger-porn-883 https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/andrew-holland-tiger-porn-88... [1] http://m.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/2358930/backbytes-someone-sent-you-some-unsolicited-smut-you-may-be-prosecuted-for-it http://m.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/2358930/backbytes-someone-... [2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter_Joke_Trial https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter_Joke_Trial

grapetree67 11y ago
Wow. I read the first article with my jaw wide open. That is absolutely ridiculous. Had no idea the UK is so afraid of "extreme porn" (whatever that means) that they're willing to blatantly eliminate the right to free speech and expression.
dazc 11y ago
Reminded me of this https://abarristerswife.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/exhibit-a-the-child-pornographer/ https://abarristerswife.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/exhibit-a-t...
switch007 11y ago
In modern employment contracts it's common to see clauses that state that you will be fired if you are convicted of any criminal offence (with some exclusions for speeding fines etc). Given the state of law in the UK that's quite frightening. No wonder so many people live in perpetual fear.
neoCrimeLabs 11y ago
This is the specific text that defined what is considered "extreme pornography" http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/4/part/5/crossheading/pornography-etc http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/4/part/5/crossheadi... It's somewhat disturbing how broad the definition is. For example if an image is in itself not considered pornographic, but is used in a loosely defined pornographic context it can be considered extreme pornography.
ue_ 11y ago
Don't forget the fact that they can force you to hand over encryption keys[0] and that posessing or creating drawings that appear to depict completely fictitious childlike characters, even with fantastical features, is illegal.[1] [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_disclosure_law#United_Kingdom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_disclosure_law#United_King... [1] http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/anime-fan-convicted-over-illegal-7958896 http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/anime-fan-co... I'm disgusted.
- J-dawg 11y ago
  It's an absolute joke, or at least it would be if it wasn't so frightening. I hadn't heard about the Anime case before, how is that even possible in a (supposedly) free, civilised country? British people tend to take on a superior tone when American politics is discussed. We love to mock the obsessions with guns and single-issue politics. At least freedom of speech actually means something there, is protected by the constitution and valued by normal people. We have absolutely no right to act superior.

by J-dawg 11y ago

grapetree67 11y ago

Wow. I read the first article with my jaw wide open. That is absolutely ridiculous. Had no idea the UK is so afraid of "extreme porn" (whatever that means) that they're willing to blatantly eliminate the right to free speech and expression.

dazc 11y ago

Reminded me of this https://abarristerswife.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/exhibit-a-the-child-pornographer/ https://abarristerswife.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/exhibit-a-t...

switch007 11y ago

In modern employment contracts it's common to see clauses that state that you will be fired if you are convicted of any criminal offence (with some exclusions for speeding fines etc). Given the state of law in the UK that's quite frightening. No wonder so many people live in perpetual fear.

neoCrimeLabs 11y ago

This is the specific text that defined what is considered "extreme pornography" http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/4/part/5/crossheading/pornography-etc http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/4/part/5/crossheadi... It's somewhat disturbing how broad the definition is. For example if an image is in itself not considered pornographic, but is used in a loosely defined pornographic context it can be considered extreme pornography.

ue_ 11y ago

Don't forget the fact that they can force you to hand over encryption keys[0] and that posessing or creating drawings that appear to depict completely fictitious childlike characters, even with fantastical features, is illegal.[1] [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_disclosure_law#United_Kingdom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_disclosure_law#United_King... [1] http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/anime-fan-convicted-over-illegal-7958896 http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/anime-fan-co... I'm disgusted.

J-dawg 11y ago
It's an absolute joke, or at least it would be if it wasn't so frightening. I hadn't heard about the Anime case before, how is that even possible in a (supposedly) free, civilised country? British people tend to take on a superior tone when American politics is discussed. We love to mock the obsessions with guns and single-issue politics. At least freedom of speech actually means something there, is protected by the constitution and valued by normal people. We have absolutely no right to act superior.