Ofcom has whacked US-based 4chan with a £20,000 fine for failing to respond to the watchdog’s request for its “illegal harms risk assessment” in compliance with the new Online Safety Act. The first fine of its kind since the Act was introduced…
The internet sheriff has told 4chan it will also start charging £100 per day from tomorrow:
“The provider of 4chan has not responded to our request for a copy of its illegal harms risk assessment, nor a second request relating to its qualifying worldwide revenue. As a result, Ofcom has fined 4chan £20,000. We will also impose a daily penalty of £100 per day, starting from tomorrow, for either 60 days or until 4chan provides us with this information, whichever is sooner.”
Ofcom’s Director of Enforcement Suzanne Cater today warned the fine “sends a clear message” that anyone violating the act can expect the same treatment. Preston Byrne, a lawyer representing 4chan, said the company isn’t taking this lying down…
“…4chan’s constitutional rights remain completely unaffected by this foreign e-mail. 4chan will obey UK censorship laws when pigs fly. In the meantime, there’s litigation pending in DC. Ofcom hasn’t yet answered. We’ll see Ofcom in court.”
This isn’t over yet…
