UK Regulator Fines 4chan £20,000 for Ignoring Online Safety Act Demands
In a move that marks the first penalty under the UK's new Online Safety Act, Ofcom has fined US-based online forum 4chan £20,000 (approximately $26,000) for failing to comply with requests regarding its content safety measures. The fine was issued after 4chan ignored demands from the regulator for a copy of its illegal harms risk assessment and information about its qualifying worldwide revenue.
According to Ofcom's update on investigations into online safety code compliance, 4chan is not the only platform that has failed to comply with the new law. Eleven investigations were opened after the first of its online safety codes became enforceable in March this year, but 4chan stands out as the first to face a fine under the Act.
The Online Safety Act was designed to prevent children from accessing harmful content online and has prompted websites like Reddit and X to put up age verification measures. Critics argue that the law threatens free speech and unfairly targets US-based tech companies, while supporters see it as a necessary measure to protect vulnerable users.
Ofcom's fine is part of the UK's Online Safety Act, which requires online services to assess and mitigate risks associated with user-generated content. If 4chan continues to ignore Ofcom's requests, it may face further penalties, including daily fines, potential blockage in the UK, and even imprisonment for up to two years.
"This fine is a clear indication that we will not tolerate non-compliance with our regulations," said an Ofcom spokesperson. "We expect all online services to take their responsibilities seriously and comply with our demands."
According to experts, the Online Safety Act has significant implications for online platforms. "The law is trying to hold tech companies accountable for the content they host on their platforms," said Dr. Emma Shortis, a digital rights expert at the University of London. "While it's understandable that there are concerns about free speech, the reality is that online platforms have a responsibility to protect their users."
As the UK continues to enforce its Online Safety Act, other countries may follow suit. The European Union has proposed similar regulations, and some experts predict that this could lead to a global shift in how online content is regulated.
For now, 4chan remains under scrutiny from Ofcom. The platform's failure to comply with the regulator's demands raises questions about its commitment to user safety. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the UK's Online Safety Act is sending a strong message to online platforms that they must take responsibility for their content.
Sources:
Engadget: "UK regulator fines 4chan for ignoring Online Safety Act demands"
Slashdot: "Britain's Online Safety Regulator Fines 4chan £26,644 for Ignoring Illegal Content Risks"
Ars Technica: "Ofcom Fines 4chan $26K for Ignoring UK Online Safety Act's Risk Assessment Mandate"
This story was compiled from reports by Engadget, Slashdot and Ars Technica.
