On April 1, legislation that criminalizes abusive or threatening behavior meant to incite hatred toward people based on their age, disability, sexual orientation, or transgender identity will be introduced.
Both online and in people’s private homes, the rules will be followed.
Women’s organizations, who have been outspoken in Scotland’s transgender issue, worry that opponents may be singled out in social media posts.
“It’s a mess,” stated Susan Smith, director of the campaign organization For Women Scotland.
“A lot of this is quite ambiguous as inciting offenses appears to be predicated on someone believing that someone is harboring enmity toward them.
Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling have both openly criticized the policy, claiming it restricts free speech.
Advocates of the measure claim it will increase tolerance in Scotland.
“This legislation is not going to catch people online saying things that I might disagree with, that you might disagree with, things that might upset me, or things that might upset others in the community,” stated Rebecca Crowther, chief executive of Equality Network in Scotland, to News.
