Wikipedia loses challenge against Online Safety Act verification rules

Wikipedia has lost a legal challenge against the Online Safety Act's verification rules in the UK. The Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, argued that the new rules could compromise user privacy and safety. The Act requires platforms to verify the identity of users who wish to post anonymous or pseudonymous content. The Wikimedia Foundation contended that this could deter contributors from editing Wikipedia, as many rely on anonymity to share sensitive information or express controversial views. However, the High Court rejected the foundation's claims, ruling that the verification requirements are a proportionate and necessary measure to tackle online harms. The judge said the Act strikes a fair balance between protecting free speech and addressing the risks of anonymous online activity. The verdict is a setback for Wikipedia, which has long prided itself on its open and collaborative model. The foundation says it will consider its next steps, but the decision underscores the growing tension between privacy, free expression, and online safety in the digital age.