The UK government has reversed its proposed changes to copyright legislation, listening to industry and public opposition that argued an opt-out model would undermine creators' rights and control over their work.

Ministers have reversed course on a proposed change to UK copyright law that would have made it easier for artificial intelligence firms to train models on protected creative works without prior permission. Industry groups and campaigners hailed the decision as a significant win for creators after weeks of intense public pressure. (Sources: Computing, Press Gazette)

The policy under discussion would have established an opt-out-style exception, allowing AI developers to use newspapers, music and other copyrighted material for model training unless rights-holders explicitly prevented it. That approach prompted a coordinated campaign by publishers and creative industry bodies that argued the measure risked giving away valuable cultural content to large technology companies. (Sources: Press Gazette, Advanced Television)

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the government had listened to those concerns and would not proceed with a single preferred path to reform. "We believe that people should be paid fairly for the work that they do. It should not be that only the big and powerful can assert their rights," she said, framing the pivot as a response to engagement with creatives, unions, academics and industry. Her comments followed a government consultation launched in December 2024 that closed in February 2025 seeking views on how copyright should apply to AI development. (Sources: Computing, gov.uk)

The retreat marks a clear victory for organisations that led the opposition, including news publishers and music and performing-rights groups, which warned the opt-out model would undercut creators' ability to control and monetise their work. Industry representatives urged the government to reject other expansive exceptions, arguing alternatives such as a broad "research" carve-out could be equally damaging. (Sources: Press Gazette, Advanced Television)

Public sentiment appeared sharply at odds with the government's original stance. A January 2026 TechRadar survey reported only 3% of respondents supported the government's preferred policy, while more than 88% said AI developers should obtain explicit permission before using copyrighted material for training. The poll added political pressure to the industry-led campaign that had already mobilised across the sector. (Source: TechRadar)

With the consultation now concluded, ministers say they will consider the extensive responses before deciding next steps. Government statements indicate the opt-out copyright exception has been removed from active consideration while work continues on a framework intended to balance creators' rights with the needs of AI developers. Stakeholders on both sides are watching closely for any future proposals that could reopen the debate. (Sources: gov.uk, Advanced Television)

Source Reference Map

Inspired by headline at: [1]

Sources by paragraph: - Paragraph 1: [5], [6] - Paragraph 2: [6], [7] - Paragraph 3: [5], [2] - Paragraph 4: [6], [7] - Paragraph 5: [4] - Paragraph 6: [2], [7]

Source: Noah Wire Services

Verification / Sources

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The article reports on a recent UK government decision regarding AI and copyright law, with the latest developments published on 18 March 2026. (comparethecloud.net) The Mirror article was published on 1 April 2026, indicating timely reporting. However, the Mirror is known for sensationalist headlines, which may affect the perceived freshness and reliability of the content.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The article includes direct quotes from Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and references to a TechRadar survey. While the quotes are attributed, the absence of direct links to the original sources raises concerns about verification. The TechRadar survey is cited without a direct link, making it difficult to independently verify the data.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The Mirror is a major UK newspaper; however, it is often criticised for sensationalism and clickbait headlines. The article references sources like Computing, Press Gazette, and Advanced Television, which are reputable within their niches but may not be widely recognised. The lack of direct links to original sources diminishes the overall reliability of the information presented.

Plausibility check

Score: 7

Notes: The article's claims align with known developments in UK AI and copyright policy, including the government's decision to abandon the opt-out model for AI training. (comparethecloud.net) However, the absence of direct links to original sources and the Mirror's reputation for sensationalism raise questions about the accuracy and depth of the reporting.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The article reports on recent UK government decisions regarding AI and copyright law, with developments published on 18 March 2026. (comparethecloud.net) While the content is timely, the Mirror's reputation for sensationalism and the absence of direct links to original sources diminish the reliability and verifiability of the information presented. The lack of independent verification sources further compounds these concerns, leading to a FAIL verdict with MEDIUM confidence.