Greater Manchester Residents Rally Against Online Safety Act
No one expected such a strong reaction from Greater Manchester, but here we are: over 16,000 locals have now signed a national petition to repeal the UK’s controversial Online Safety Act. That’s just one chunk of the total 340,000-plus signatures from across the country as the campaign continues to gather speed.
The petition, which was kicked off by Alex Baynham—the founder of the independent political party Build—puts the spotlight on a law he and plenty of others call dangerously vague. According to Baynham, the Act’s overly broad wording means it fences off much more than genuinely harmful content. Supporters fear that conversations about anything from football games and train schedules to sharing memes about hamsters or discussing video games could get swept up and censored. Picture being unable to talk online about your local club’s performance just because a filter misreads a harmless post. It sounds ridiculous, but these are the very outcomes critics worry are now on the cards.
At the same time, there’s real frustration that the Online Safety Act might not even do the one thing it was supposed to: shield people from abuse, scams, or other genuine online threats. If bots and bad actors can still wiggle through, some are wondering what the point is when everyone else is left tiptoeing around what they say online.
A Petition with Real Bite
This isn’t just an internet grumble. Hitting over 100,000 signatures means Parliament is legally required to consider a debate, and the stunningly high total—climbing well past 300,000—means MPs can’t ignore it much longer. For residents in Greater Manchester, the petition is about more than slogans; it’s a matter of digital rights, civil liberties, and standing up to what many see as kneejerk, one-size-fits-all policymaking.
The petition’s backers aren’t just signing—they’re encouraged to reach out to their Members of Parliament. Baynham and his supporters see that as crucial, since a simple signature isn’t always enough to get your personal story across. Everyone’s got different worries, whether it’s about losing access to gaming forums, fears over parental controls on educational content, or concerns about local news being censored. The campaign suggests personalized letters to MPs, sharing your own reasons for supporting repeal, to put a real face behind the numbers.
There’s still time: signatures can be added up until October 22, 2025. Until then, expect plenty more debate, both online and—if Parliament acts soon—face to face in Westminster’s halls. The controversy around the Online Safety Act isn’t fading, especially with regions like Greater Manchester showing they’re ready to speak up about how digital life should look in the UK.
July 29 2025 0
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