British Thought Police Are Becoming a Growing Threat to American Free Speech

There was a time not too long ago when the concept of “thought police” evoked dystopian nightmares from George Orwell’s 1984. Today, it represents the reality of what’s happening in Great Britain and it’s affecting Americans more than most realize.

It’s alarming to see it manifesting in real life across the pond. England, once a beacon of Western democracy, has devolved into a surveillance state where online speech can land you in handcuffs. This isn’t just a quirky British nuance like calling fries either “chips” or “crisps.” It’s a direct assault on the principles of free expression that could soon spill over to American shores if we don’t push back.

Consider the sheer scale of the issue: England arrests around 12,000 people annually for their online comments. That’s not a typo. That’s more arrests for dissenting voices than Russia. Thousands of individuals face legal repercussions for expressing views deemed offensive by the authorities.

Take the case of Graham Linehan, the Irish comedian behind *Father Ted*. He was detained by London’s Metropolitan Police over posts criticizing transgender ideology—posts he made while in the United States. If an Irish citizen can be targeted for American-based speech, what’s stopping them from coming after U.S. residents next?

The root of the problem lies in Britain’s lack of a constitutional safeguard like our First Amendment. Over there, “hate speech” isn’t protected—it’s criminalized. Media outlets like The Washington Post have even labeled America’s commitment to free speech as “extremist,” while praising Europe’s more restrictive approach.

But this mindset isn’t staying contained. British officials are now pressuring American tech companies to enforce their draconian rules under the Online Safety Act (OSA). This law, cloaked in the language of “safety,” demands that platforms police content globally or face massive fines and even jail time for executives. Unfortunately, geo-targeted censorship is rarely effective which means it’s conceivable that tech companies will simply start censoring more to appease the tyrants.

One prime target is 4Chan, the irreverent meme hub known for its unfiltered discussions. British regulators slapped them with a fine exceeding $26,000 for not complying with demands to monitor and censor user posts. Thankfully, 4Chan is pushing back, refusing to bow to foreign censorship. But larger tech giants, with significant operations in the UK, might not have the same spine. They could start self-censoring American users to appease overseas bureaucrats, effectively importing British speech codes into our digital lives.

This isn’t an isolated British overreach. It’s part of a broader global assault on free expression. The European Union is ramping up similar efforts, and experts warn that these foreign pressures pose a “clear and present danger” to U.S. sovereignty. Even Wikipedia’s co-founder, Jimmy Wales, is gearing up for a fight, vowing not to age-gate content despite threats of blockage. And British comedian Jimmy Carr, performing in the U.S., recently urged audiences to “cherish” the First Amendment, calling Linehan “brave” for standing his ground.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. If we allow foreign governments to dictate what Americans can say online, we’re surrendering a core pillar of our republic. Congress must step up and make it crystal clear: British censorship stops at the Atlantic. We need legislation that protects U.S. companies from these extraterritorial demands and reaffirms our commitment to unbridled speech.

As someone who values the raucous, unfiltered exchange of ideas that defines America, I urge every patriot to pay attention. The thought police are knocking, and if we don’t answer with a resounding defense of our rights, we risk losing the freedom that makes this country exceptional. Let’s tell England: Hands off our speech.