Changes Coming To GOT

[GrandOldTeam]

Short Version

The UK government is forcing us to remove the Current Affairs forum, and NSFW type threads. Maybe also user to user private messaging.

Google 'Online Safety Act' if interested.

Long Rambling Version;

We're of course, an Everton Forum.

But in our 18+ years (not one of you wished the forum a happy birthday last week ffs), we've become a community beyond Everton.

Since 2017, we've sought to best accomodate 'current affairs' discussion in it's own sub forum - out the way, with a 'enter at own risk'/hands off moderation policy.

It's worked well.

Or as well as it could have done. Online. Politics.

However, the Online Safety Act (OSA) in the UK comes into effect on March 17, 2025. Someone much more articulate than I provides some commentary here. Also some more background info and it's implications here.

The implications of the act has already caused forums in their entirety to close, others have closed the ability to post. Some discussion on here of this act from December.

Moderating a Everton forum is challenging enough - we don't have the resource, ability, diplomacy to moderate politics in a way that would make us compliant with the act. Even if we did, I don't think we'd have the inclination to. Nor be prepared to accept the personal liability to do so.

Sadly then, we need to close the Current Affairs forum from 1st March.

We'll also need to close 'Not Safe For Work' threads, like 'The Fit Birds' thread.

There's a chance we may also need to disable user to user private messaging but I'm awaiting clarification on that.

But fear not. We can still fume about Everton.

 

[RAFUH]

Bit shocked there's more whinging about losing CA than the Fit Birds Thread

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Musks meltdown is going to be something to behold.

We have a few weeks to create an enigma code using emojis.

 

[DanB90]

Bit shocked there's more whinging about losing CA than the Fit Birds Thread

I can see Fit Birds at the click of a finger all over the internet, but tell me, where else am I supposed to I pwn Libs?

 

[tommye]

Sadly then, we need to close the Current Affairs forum from 1st March

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Bit shocked there's more whinging about losing CA than the Fit Birds Thread

There'll be an MS Paint thread

 

[chrismpw]

Hmmm governments making forums close down on the basis of safety. A bit Orwellian or even Soviet state that, isn't it? A bit like the general strategy of using the environment to justify the latest tax hike, or saying we'll never need ID cards, but you all need photo driving licences now to vote.

So glad I'm nearer the end of my life and not near the start. I don't want to live too much into this future Britain is creating. And the "woke" generation don't even see what's happening to them.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

I can totally understand the need to close the CA part of the forum but it's a real shame. Despite the bots and trolls that turn up, there is a really lively debate and counterpoint, generally speaking, in most threads.

It makes for some very interesting and enlightening reading.

Deffo need to bring back neg rep to sweeten the medicine though.

I'll let you in on a little secret, friend.

Spoiler: Pssst.

There are no bots posting on Grand Old Team.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Hmmm governments making forums close down on the basis of safety. A bit Orwellian or even Soviet state that, isn't it? A bit like the general strategy of using the environment to justify the latest tax hike, or saying we'll never need ID cards, but you all need photo driving licences now to vote.

So glad I'm nearer the end of my life and not near the start. I don't want to live too much into this future Britain is creating. And the "woke" generation don't even see what's happening to them.

It's grim Chris.

I need peoples wills to include GOT so I can retire, fight the good fight against government oppression.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[TrailerTrash]

I've actually come around to the idea. The amount of people who just post absolutely insane tweets as their opinion is shocking. I'll take the pain of only discussing stuff down the pub (unless Starmer makes that illegal) if it means harmful and misleading information is deprived oxygen.

And this is how free speech dies.

Stalin appreciates your efforts.

 

[trueblue84]

And this is how free speech dies.

Stalin appreciates your efforts.

I'd counter that with some Goebbels' quotes that I referred to in another thread. Social media, search algorithms and viral media are the tools of fascist dictators. His words are scarily relevant to today:

 

[summerisle]

I've sent a narky email to my newly elected Labour MP. I expect bugger all after his mealy mouthed response to my last email regarding the winter fuel allowance disaster. The drone is going to be booted out at the next General Election.

 

[TrailerTrash]

I'd counter that with some Goebbels' quotes that I referred to in another thread. Social media, search algorithms and viral media are the tools of fascist dictators. His words are scarily relevant to today:

View attachment 294390

View attachment 294391View attachment 294392

Dude, you are the one content to see free speech curtailed.

The only fascist here is yourself.

 

[trueblue84]

Dude, you are the one content to see free speech curtailed.

The only fascist here is yourself.

Social media isn't the be all and end all of free speech. In the same way the right wing loons seem to always have a platform to tell you how they've been cancelled.

 

[TrailerTrash]

Social media isn't the be all and end all of free speech. In the same way the right wing loons seem to always have a platform to tell you how they've been cancelled.

Sure, sure, sure.

You just want to shut down that which you disagree with. There is no obligation in life to be protected from people being wrong, idiotic, etc.

Put your big boy pants on and s roll past if you don't like it. Resorting to forcing forums to close, etc, is fascist, and people who support it... Well...