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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Nicole Wootton-Cane

What to know about Ofcom’s legal battle with 4chan

Ofcom 4Chan
  • Ofcom has imposed a £520,000 fine on US-based online forum 4chan for alleged breaches of the Online Safety Act, specifically for failing to protect children from pornography and illegal content.
  • 4chan is refusing to pay the fine, arguing that Ofcom lacks jurisdiction over a US-domiciled company, and has responded to official communications with humorous, yet legally serious, messages.
  • Ofcom states it will pursue the recovery of unpaid fines globally, engaging debt recovery specialists and local law enforcement where companies have assets.
  • Legal experts suggest Ofcom may block 4chan for UK users to maintain credibility, but acknowledge such blocks are easily circumvented by VPNs and will not recover the regulator's money.
  • The case is viewed as a 'test case' for the Online Safety Act's effectiveness and raises concerns about its impact on foreign tech investment in the UK, with some smaller platforms already having left the market.

IN FULL

A giant hamster, a £520k fine, and a battle for regulation: What happens next in Ofcom’s fight with 4chan?

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