4chan continues to mock Ofcom over non-payment of £520k fine

The online discussion board 4chan has repeatedly refused to pay a £520,000 Ofcom fine for violations of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA). The fine amounts comprise £450,000 for failing to implement age verification checks to prevent children from accessing pornography, £50,000 for omitting an illegal content risk assessment, and £20,000 for failing to explain user protection measures against criminal content.

Ofcom recently renewed its demands, warning of potential recovery steps if the outstanding amount is not settled within 14 days. 

In response, 4chan's US-based lawyer, Preston Byrne, publicly mocked the regulator and replied with an AI-generated image of a hamster, arguing that the platform has no UK assets.

Byrne maintains that 4chan operates exclusively under US jurisdiction, where its conduct is protected by the First Amendment. The dispute highlights broader OSA enforcement challenges against overseas platforms, as Ofcom has recovered only a small fraction of the millions of pounds in fines issued under the legislation.

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