Ofcom Imposes £20,000 Fine on 4chan Over Non-Compliance with Online Safety Act
Introduction
UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has imposed a £20,000 ($26,700) fine on the controversial platform 4chan for failing to provide requested information under the country’s Online Safety Act of 2023. This penalty marks the first enforcement action taken under the new legislation aimed at safeguarding children from harmful online content.
Details of the Fine
The fine follows 4chan’s failure to submit its illegal harms risk assessment and disclose its qualifying worldwide revenue, despite Ofcom’s requests. The regulator initiated its investigation into 4chan in June after receiving multiple complaints regarding illegal content hosted on the site.
Background on the Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act, which became enforceable in March 2023, was established to protect minors from potentially harmful online materials. In light of this legislation, many websites, including Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), have implemented new age verification measures to comply with the updated regulations.
4chan’s Response
4chan’s non-compliance is not entirely unexpected. The platform previously filed a lawsuit against Ofcom, asserting that the enforcement of the Online Safety Act infringes on the free speech rights of American citizens.
Official Statements
UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, commented on the matter, stating, "This fine is a clear warning to those who fail to remove illegal content or protect children from harmful material." In addition to the initial fine, Ofcom has announced a daily penalty of £100 ($133) that will continue until 4chan fulfills its obligations to submit the required information.
Other Investigations by Ofcom
Ofcom has also reported on several other ongoing investigations. Some file-sharing services are under scrutiny for their compliance with laws regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Two platforms have reportedly improved compliance by implementing automated tools designed to detect and promptly eliminate such content. Conversely, four other file-sharing platforms opted to geoblock access from UK IP addresses rather than comply, resulting in the closure of their respective cases.
Conclusion
Ofcom’s actions against 4chan signal a robust approach to enforcing the UK’s Online Safety Act. As the regulator continues to investigate online platforms, it reinforces the importance of compliance in safeguarding users, particularly minors, from harmful online content.
