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In an ideal world it would work something like that. In reality in the UK the pattern more often is:

1. New power introduced after crisis or scandal, justified as exceptional and targeted

2. Enforcement is patchy or politically difficult. Police either lack resources or big tech platforms don't want to or can't play ball

3. Failure or abuse case becomes public and reported in chattering classes tabloid press

4. Response is not "use existing powers better" but expand powers, broaden scope, lower initial 'targeted' thresholds

5. Cycle repeats

Issue is compounded because you have politicians who will either not understand things or pretend not to understand things.



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