In the past, Britain (and other EU countries) claimed that they were preserving human rights and values -- privacy chief among them -- and trading off a little bit of economic growth for that.
"China" was invoked derogatorily -- authoritarian and rapacious in its economic pursuits, a surveillance state, and so on.
And now Britain has still wound up with a surveillance state, it's inching close to a Great Firewall for its internet in an obvious and ham-fisted attempt to curb the political views of its citizens...
It is a baffling outcome that Britain has gotten all the bullshit that comes with an unfree society, but none of the possible benefits, like economic growth or public safety. They have thrown away their European values not in a conscious trade-off, but for nothing. What a severe sight. And most tragically, it has been an unforced error, fully self-inflicted.
Polymarket (@Polymarket)
JUST IN: UK Government clarifies adults will still be able to use social media by verifying their identities with digital IDs, facial recognition, passports and credit cards.
— https://nitter.net/Polymarket/status/2066497494150713842#m