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Fact check: What are the most common types of online activities that lead to arrests in the UK?

Checked on September 19, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that there are various types of online activities that can lead to arrests in the UK, including cybercrime such as hacking, phishing, and ransomware attacks [1], as well as online activities related to supporting certain groups, such as Palestine Action, which can lead to arrests under anti-terrorism legislation [2]. Additionally, spreading misinformation, hate speech, or incitement to violence online can also result in arrests, as seen in cases of individuals charged for stirring up racial hatred online during the summer riots [3]. Furthermore, online activities related to cyber attacks, such as the TfL cyber attack, can lead to arrests in the UK [4]. It is worth noting that the sources do not provide a clear, comprehensive list of the most common types of online activities that lead to arrests in the UK [1] [5] [6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some sources highlight the importance of protecting oneself online from cybercrime, including ransomware, hacking, phishing, and malicious software [6]. However, these sources do not specifically list the most common types of online activities that lead to arrests in the UK. Other sources discuss the use of Live Facial Recognition technology to catch high-harm offenders [7] and the investment in new CCTV technology to help the Met Police fight crime [8], but do not provide information about online activities leading to arrests. Additionally, some sources mention the warning from the FTC Chairman to major tech companies about censorship in the EU DSA and UK Online Safety Act [9], which may be relevant to the broader context of online activities and their potential consequences. It is also important to consider the context of anti-terrorism legislation and how it may be applied to online activities, as mentioned in [2]. Moreover, the threat from cybercrime is a significant concern, and sources such as [1] and [5] provide information on this topic.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement asks for the most common types of online activities that lead to arrests in the UK, but the sources provided do not offer a clear, comprehensive answer to this question [1] [5] [6]. This may indicate that the original statement is too broad or vague, as the sources suggest that there are various types of online activities that can lead to arrests, but do not provide a specific list. Additionally, some sources may be biased towards certain perspectives, such as the focus on cybercrime in [1] and [5], or the discussion of anti-terrorism legislation in [2]. The sources may also be limited in their scope, as they do not provide a comprehensive overview of all the types of online activities that can lead to arrests in the UK. For example, [3] highlights the issue of spreading misinformation, hate speech, or incitement to violence online, but this may not be the only type of online activity that can lead to arrests. Overall, it is essential to consider multiple sources and perspectives to gain a more complete understanding of the issue, as different sources may benefit from emphasizing certain types of online activities over others, such as cybercrime [1] [5] or anti-terrorism legislation [2].

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