Petition to “save the internet” backed by KSI & KEEMSTAR hits over 2 million signatures

Popular YouTuber and white-collar boxer Olajide ‘KSI’ Olatunji is urging his fans to “save the internet,” as posted in a series of Tweets on November 20.

KSI began his campaign by tweeting out the hashtag “#Savetheinternet,” followed by a longer explanation that included a link to a change.org petition, which aims to influence the European Union’s upcoming Internet Copyright Directive.

“I very rarely get political, but this is extremely important,” KSI wrote. “Old heads back at it with the ignorance. Please sign this petition. #SavetheInternet”

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The petition in question seeks to deal with Articles 11 and 13, specifically, which would introduce a “link tax” and an “upload filter,” respectively. In layman’s terms, the link tax would allow publishers to ask for “paid licenses” when websites share their stories. Additionally, the “upload filter” would hold platforms liable for copyright infringement, should they “store… large amounts of works and other subject-matter uploaded by their users.”

While the Directive seeks to update copyright law for the modern age, much controversy lies in its interpretation – especially concerning Articles 11 and 13. Many YouTubers have expressed concern around the Articles, which could require creators to acquire a license to use any copyrighted material in their content – or even prevent their uploads entirely.

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KSI isn’t the only major YouTuber advocating for awareness of the Directive, either; Drama Alert host Daniel ‘KEEMSTAR’ Keem has likewise shown support for the petition, Tweeting out a meme using the #Savetheinternet hashtag on November 20.

The petition has over two million signatures as of November 21, and continues to climb in numbers.