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Word of warning (Ironically timed!) for anyone thinking of Windscribe...

Windscribe automatically renewed on me this morning (the service I USED to use). I forgot to remove the automatic paypal subscription.

So - i tried to contact them - however their ******* "bot" Garry advises that there are ZERO refunds for renewals, and made it perfectly clear that if you did anything about it then you would receive a lifetime ban.
Unlike other services that are happy to discuss.

Just a heads up :)
 
So do you need to go through the age verification process for every 'adult' website you may visit?
 
I believe each provider of material that is covered by the Online Safety Act's scope are providing their own age checking process. Rather than a single method, like accepting a OTP generated from a trusted single supploer that has already processed your data.
 
That's two different things, top one isn't about the online safety bill. Second one is a good thing, I wouldn't want my children exposed to stories of child rape.

The online safety bill has been implemented terribly but in theory it's a good thing.
 
While I defo agree that this law will be wholesale misused by the government and is a step backwards, I just read that article and these emails from a 'spy unit' were from August 2024, way before this law came into being. The telegraph is being purposely misleading mentioning the new law in that article in any way (to sell copy/clicks revenue I guess).

And the other stuff linked - that isn't from the article at all?
 
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Saw yesterday that people were having their Spotify accounts deleted if they try watching videos unless they uploaded proof of age.

It’s a classic case of poorly written legislation that ultimately fails to achieve its original intent. Most children are more tech savvy than the rule makers. They are instead far more likely to push young people onto really dodgy unregulated areas of the net.

I’m struggling to think of many areas where stricter regulation actually works in its intended way.

Guess it might make it harder for MPs to check out Tractor forums in the House of Commons though 🙄
 
Saw yesterday that people were having their Spotify accounts deleted if they try watching videos unless they uploaded proof of age.
There is a bit to unpick here.
Spotify do not have to delete people’s accounts due to the act. They do have rules on the minimum age. And I guess video content could be deemed harmful but they could easily just hide the videos.

Again, the intent of the act isn’t wrong but how the tech companies are dealing with it is causing issues.
We can adapt and evolve it but we can’t do that anymore, it either has to be perfect from the start or all sides attack it. Not enough, too far.
Our media machine must generate clicks and write headlines to fire us up.
 
I personally don't care if they restrict access to porn, it has been heavily regulated/ censored in the UK for 100 plus years.

The bigger picture is that both the Conservatives and Labour have systematically attacked free speech in the UK. And Labour/ the police are obsessed with social media.

The police tried to prosecute Daily Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson for example.


We are one year into this Labour government. That cabinet is Labour's A Team after the party had 14 years to make a plan, so it is reasonable to assume that as these guys get reshuffled, even lower calibre individuals will replace them.

The best I can offer the forum is to consider leaving the UK if you can. It is not easy, I know. But friends of mine have left, and others are planning it. These aren't multi-millionare tax exiles - just folk that have some savings and some options.

For a variety of reasons, I have set my sights on the Isle of Man. It feels like the UK did 30 years ago but with better broadband. I'm part way through buying somewhere there to act as an escape pod protected by the Irish Sea and Manannan's Cloak.
 
The police tried to prosecute Daily Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson for example.

Good, she said something you could interpret as hateful. Free speech doesn't mean you can spread hate, the police did their job properly.

I had never heard of this till you mentioned it, I choose not to click your link as it's the Daily mail, my guess is other newspapers covered it in a less sensationalised manner.
 
She's never said anything hateful. One of the few proper journalists we have left.
 
There is a bit to unpick here.
Spotify do not have to delete people’s accounts due to the act. They do have rules on the minimum age. And I guess video content could be deemed harmful but they could easily just hide the videos.
My understanding from a quick investigation, as I have worried 16 year old.

Spotify are limiting access to music videos etc marked as 18+ by the creator to over 18's. Those identified as under 13 will have there account deleted. Those who when asked don't provide any age verfication will have there accounts suspened and then have 90 days to complete the process or have thier account deleted.

The easiest way to age verify with spotify is via Yoti a facial image age estimator, for us old crusties that's a easy test. For those underage you just need older sibling/friend to take the test for you.....
 
Some people apparently have more trouble than others regarding Face ID…..
 

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There's your problem. Be banning the Simpsons cartoon next.

Going a bit overboard there. She wasn't banned.

Everyone is different and looks at things differently. If someone shouted a racial slur or were verbally aggressive in the street some people would ignore it, others might report it, it's then up to the police to do the right thing. I'm pretty sure it's always been this way.
Going by what the journalist said I can see why people would have issue with it.

The media is full of sensationalism it's how they sell papers and it's how politicians divide us. You have to look behind the news and look up varying sources to find the truth which is nearly always nowhere as near as it sounded
 
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