Ofcom, the UK's media regulator, has levied significant fines against two companies and announced a ban in Russia on a popular messaging service, while other news stories highlight issues in the gaming and pension industries. Kick Online Entertainment SA, a pornographic website, was fined £800,000 for failing to implement adequate age verification measures between July and December 2025, according to BBC Technology. Meanwhile, Russia blocked WhatsApp, urging users to switch to a state-backed alternative, as reported by Al Jazeera. In other news, the developer of the multiplayer shooter "Highguard" laid off staff just two weeks after the game's release, and Capita, the company administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme, admitted that a backlog of cases had "overwhelmed" its operations.
The fine against Kick Online Entertainment SA was issued because the company did not have "highly effective" methods to verify that UK visitors were over 18, according to Ofcom. The regulator stated that the company has since implemented age checks. In a separate development, message board 4chan faces a £520,000 fine for failing to comply with the UK's Online Safety Law, though its lawyer said the company will not pay, according to BBC Technology.
In Russia, the ban on WhatsApp was attributed to the service's reluctance to comply with Russian law, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Al Jazeera. The move is seen as part of a broader effort to control information and limit free speech amid the war in Ukraine.
The gaming industry also saw turmoil, as Wildlight Entertainment, the developer of "Highguard," confirmed staff layoffs just two weeks after the game's release, as reported by BBC Technology. The game, which was featured at The Game Awards, struggled to retain players after its January launch.
Capita, which took over the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in December, is struggling with a backlog of cases. Richard Holroyd, chief executive of Capital Public Services, told a committee of MPs that the backlog had expanded to 120,000 cases, according to BBC Business. The company inherited 86,000 cases and over 15,000 unread emails. People trying to get information about their pension have waited several hours for a response.
In other news, Prince Harry expressed support for bereaved families who are challenging social media companies in court, according to BBC Technology. The families allege that platforms like Instagram and YouTube are designed to be addictive. Prince Harry expressed hope for "truth, justice and accountability" in footage shared by BBC Technology.
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