The Online Safety Act’s Lie Detector Section is a Fucking Sledgehammer, But Will It Hit the Right Heads?

Alright, you filthy truth-junkies, strap in. The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 just dropped a legislative nuke, and I’m here to carve it up like a chainsaw through butter. This beast has over 200 articles – enough to choke a dictionary and make it beg for mercy. I gave you the broad strokes earlier, but this thing’s metastasized into a monster. And buried in its guts is a section so juicy I’m calling it the Lie Detector Section: Section 179. This is where the Tories, in a rare moment of not screwing the pooch, might’ve handed us a weapon to gut the liars poisoning the digital sewers.

Section 179: The Lie-Smashing Clause

Here’s the deal, straight from the legal entrails: Section 179 makes it a crime to send a message with false info you know is bullshit, with the intent to cause “non-trivial psychological or physical harm” to whoever’s dumb enough to swallow it, and without a reasonable excuse. This ain’t just replacing old malicious comms laws—it’s a fucking guillotine for the disinformation age. We’re talking social media cesspools, political snake oil salesmen, and every keyboard warrior peddling lies to whip up fear and chaos. Yeah, I’m looking at you, Reform Party, with your “Leave the ECHR to control borders” horseshit. Spoiler: it’s the UN Refugee Convention, you twats. This section could, in theory, drag these clowns through the mud and make ‘em choke on their own lies.

Breaking It Down, Because You’re Too Lazy to Read the Fine Print

Let’s rip this apart like a feral dog with a chew toy:

179-1-a: Sending a Message

Section 182 defines “message” as anything you vomit into the world – texts, emails, WhatsApp rants, X posts, fliers shoved through letterboxes, or even your drunk uncle’s recorded pub tirade. If it’s electronic or physical, it’s game. You’re locked in, no escape.

179-1-b: Knowing It’s False

If you spew a lie and know it’s a lie, you’re fucked. No wiggle room. Nigel Farage and his ilk better have a Rolodex of excuses for why they “didn’t know” their anti-immigrant rants were built on sand. Good luck with that, you smarmy git.

179-1-c: Intent to Cause Harm

Here’s where it gets spicy. The law says you’re guilty if you meant to cause “non-trivial psychological or physical harm.” That’s a broad net. Take Farage’s endless “immigrants are here to rape and murder” schtick. He’s not just wrong – he’s inciting hatred, scaring the shit out of people, and aiming for psychological damage to push his Number 10 wet dream. That’s a crime now. Same goes for pricks like “Inevitable West,” that X account (Elon’s burner or some Dubai crypto bro, who cares?) pumping fake videos to make Islam look like the apocalypse. Psychological harm? Check. Physical harm from inciting violence? Double check. Lock ‘em up.

179-1-d: No Reasonable Excuse

If you lied, knew it, and meant to fuck people up, what’s your excuse? Exactly. None. This clause is a steel trap for liars who think they can shrug and say, “Oops, my bad.”

Section 179-2 and 3: Social Media’s Kryptonite

Post a lie on X or your shitty blog? You’re expecting people to see it (179-2-a). Want it to go viral with retweets and shares? That’s 179-2-b. And 179-3 says it doesn’t matter if it’s one person or the whole damn internet – harm’s harm. You’re cooked.

Section 179-4: The Broadcaster Loophole

Here’s where my blood boils. Publishers and broadcasters get a “get out of jail free” card, sort of. If Farage spews lies on GB News, the network might skate, but he’s still on the hook. But if he does it on X? He’s toast. The wording’s murkier than a Thames backwash, though. If I were a journo or talking head, I’d be screaming at legal to clarify this shit before I touch a keyboard or mic.

Section 179-5 and 6: The Punishment

Caught lying to harm? Enjoy six months in the slammer, a fine, or both. It’s not a life sentence, but it’s enough to make Farage and “Inevitable West” sweat. Next time Tommy Robinson posts a four-year-old video claiming it’s happening now? Straight to the clink. Let’s start the purge.

Section 181: The Threatening Cousin

Section 181’s the evil twin, covering threats of violence, rape, or assault. It’s solid but has a sneaky bit in 181-2-d about “serious financial loss.” That’s a landmine. Call out a liar on X, they cry “loss of earnings” from the embarrassment, and suddenly you’re the one in court. Slippery slope, folks.

The Big Picture: Will It Work?

This is a sledgehammer for liars, hate-mongers, and fear-peddlers. Deliberately misleading people online to scare or hurt them is now illegal. Farage, Robinson, and every X troll pushing fake news to fuel street violence? They’re on notice. But here’s the kicker: it’s all down to Ofcom. Will they grow a spine and use this golden gun, or will they hide under their desks like usual? History says they’re spineless, but this law’s got teeth. If they don’t bite, we’re back to square one, wading through the same digital shitstorm.

So, keep your eyes peeled. The liars are on borrowed time, but only if the enforcers have the balls to pull the trigger. Now go out there and call out the bastards – just watch your step on that “financial loss” trap. Truth’s a weapon; wield it like a fucking chainsaw.

Spider Thompson. signing off, time to get some cheap whisky and get wasted.