UK Imposes First Online Safety Fine on U.S. Forum 4chan Britain has imposed its first online safety fine on a U.S.-based platform, fining internet forum 4chan £20,00,000 for failing to comply with its Online Safety Act requirements. The fine, issued by the media regulator Ofcom, marks the first enforcement action under the new legal framework, which aims to protect children and vulnerable users from illegal content online. Ofcom stated that 4chan had ignored multiple requests for information on its risk assessments of illegal content, prompting the regulator to issue the penalty. The law, which has caused tension between U.S. tech companies and Britain, has faced criticism over its potential impact on free speech. Critics argue that the law threatens U.S. companies by subjecting them to UK regulations without U.S. jurisdiction. Technology minister Liz Kendall has defended the move, stating that the government fully supports Ofcom in its enforcement actions.
4chan and Kiwi Farms, another U.S.-based site, have filed a lawsuit in the United States against Ofcom, alleging that the regulator’s threats and fines constitute foreign judgments that would restrict free speech. The companies argue that they are entirely based in the U.S., have no operations in the U.K., and are therefore not subject to UK law. Ofcom, however, maintains that its legal authority extends to any entity that serves UK users, regardless of their physical location. The fine highlights the growing regulatory challenges faced by international platforms in complying with multiple jurisdictions. As the Online Safety Act continues to be enforced, discussions around the balance between free expression and online safety are likely to intensify, particularly with U.S. companies challenging the legality of such regulatory actions.