Farage accuses government of being ‘so below the belt’ as right wing doubles down on censorship claims

The UK’s Online Safety Act has been greatly anticipated. Amid mounting concerns about the ease of accessing harmful content online, rules were drawn up to force social platforms to protect children from posts and videos that incite hatred or encourage suicide, self-harm or eating disorders.

But within days of coming into force, the new approach to keeping children safe online had become a rallying point for the right in both Britain and the US.