4chan fined $26K for refusing to assess risks under UK Online Safety Act

The UK's telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, has fined the online forum 4chan £20,000 (approximately $26,000) for refusing to assess the risks its platform poses under the UK's new Online Safety Act. The fine represents the first enforcement action taken since the law came into effect in January 2023. The Online Safety Act requires digital platforms to identify and mitigate potential harms, such as the spread of illegal content or the exposure of minors to harmful material. 4chan's operators declined to engage with the regulator, arguing that the law infringes on free speech protections. The case could potentially test whether the US government will intervene to block the UK's legislation, as the law's extraterritorial reach could impact American-based platforms. The fine serves as a warning to other platforms that the UK is serious about enforcing the new regulations, which aim to make the internet safer for users, especially children.