A major free speech row erupted last night after it was revealed that more than 60,000 people have been arrested over the past five years for ‘communications offences’ – some as trivial as viewing disparaging TikTok videos.
The astonishing figure has been described as ‘Orwellian’, and having a ‘chilling effect’ in stifling opinions online.
The statistics – to be published in a hard-hitting report this week – also highlight the chaotic implementation of rules on ‘malicious’ messaging, with some police forces making 14 times more arrests under the powers than others.
The report, by campaign group Big Brother Watch, discloses that at least
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