Social media platforms X and Reddit have implemented restrictions on content related to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine in response to the UK's Online Safety Act, which came into effect on July 25, 2025. These platforms require users to verify their age before accessing posts on these topics, as part of compliance with the new law. The BBC Verify investigation found that this age verification applies to various sensitive subjects, including the Gaza conflict, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and parliamentary debates on grooming gangs. The Online Safety Act has drawn criticism from X and advocacy groups, which argue that it risks infringing on free speech. Additionally, OpenAI has expressed concerns that the law could undermine artificial intelligence development and free expression by mandating proactive scanning of private content, which it describes as technically unfeasible and invasive. The law’s vague definitions have also been highlighted as problematic by these critics.