David Vance SubstackRead More
Free speech in the UK is under threat from a new law called the Data (Use and Access) Bill, or DUAB. Introduced by the Labour Government in October 2024, it’s making its way through Parliament right now. The government says it’s about modernising data laws, boosting the economy, and improving public services. Sounds benign, right? But dig deeper, and it’s a potential nightmare for anyone who values speaking their mind. That would be me and you!
The DUAB lets companies and authorities collect and share more of your personal data—like your online posts, searches, or messages—for things like research, security, or health. On the surface, that might seem harmless. But here’s the catch: it could let them spy on what you say online. If you think someone’s watching your every word, are you really going to speak freely? Probably not. That’s called a “chilling effect,” and it’s bad news for open debate.
The bill also greenlights “legitimate interests” for using your data—like stopping fraud or protecting the public. Sounds reasonable, until you realise it could be stretched to track people with unpopular opinions, all in the name of “safety.” Then there’s the automated decision-making bit—computers deciding what’s okay or not without humans double-checking. Imagine an algorithm flagging your Substack post or tweet as “problematic” and poof, it’s gone. Machines aren’t great at understanding context, so they often over-censor to play it safe.
It gets worse when you pair DUAB with the Online Safety Act (OSA) from 2023, which already forces platforms to delete “harmful” content. Together, they could turbocharge surveillance, making platforms and people scared to say anything edgy but legal—especially if you’re challenging the mainstream. The DUAB doesn’t even pretend to protect free speech; it’s all about data efficiency, not your rights.
The UK’s already under scrutiny for cracking down on free speech—think police arresting people for “offensive” posts. DUAB could make this worse by letting authorities hoard data and target voices they don’t like, no hard evidence needed. Supporters say laws like the Human Rights Act will keep things in check, but that feels flimsy when the focus is on control, not freedom.
In short, DUAB’s sneaky. It’s not outright banning speech—it’s just building a system where we’ll censor ourselves out of fear. That’s how free expression dies quietly.
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