U.K. authorities scrutinizing 4Chan under recently enacted internet safety regulations
Title: UK's Crackdown on Internet Safety: 4Chan Under the Microscope
Thank the heavens for legislative action, 'cause UK's comms regulator, Ofcom, has finally decided to put the online forum known as 4Chan under investigation. Known for its wildly extreme and often illegal content, this platform is now facing the consequences of not playing ball with the new Online Safety Act.
Ofcom has declared war on sites that may have violated these new safety rules, and 4Chan is not the only one on their list. In addition to this infamous forum, a porn site and seven file-sharing websites are also under the magnifying glass.
So, what's this Online Safety Act all about, huh? Well, here's the lowdown: porn sites must develop strict age verification processes for users, but websites like 4Chan or social media have to assess the risk of UK users encountering illegal content on their platforms. If they don't do that, they're in deep doo-doo. Major platforms hosting age-restricted content must have a "robust" age verification process in place by July.
4Chan's been dodging its responsibilities, as Ofcom reveals, but what's similar to this whole mess is that these regulations have stirred up controversy in the past for not going far enough. Critics argue they need to be tougher, especially considering the harm that can come from such platforms.
Ofcom's new investigations underscore their commitment to enforcing the Online Safety Act, which officially took full effect in April 2025. And let's not forget about the major cyber attack 4Chan suffered back in April, a digital turf war between the criminally-minded. Although the site has bounced back, it's still in a limbo state, with some elements temporarily disabled.
Read more about the Online Safety Bill here.
But wait, there's more! Ofcom is also taking a close look at First Time Videos, quizzing them on their age-verification processes, and probing the seven file-sharing services for potential child sexual abuse material sharing.
Read more about children and online safety on our site.
This investigation is highlighting the urgent need for tech companies to take responsibility for their online content and creating a safer space for users. It's the beginning of a digital revolution, people!
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[1] Ofcom Investigates 4Chan for Online Safety Act Compliance[2] UK Internet Safety Rules: What You Need to Know[3] Ofcom Announces Nine New Investigations into Sites for Failing to Meet New Online Safety Rules
The government's resolve to enforce internet safety regulations is evident, as the UK's communication regulator, Ofcom, embarks on a cybersecurity battle against sites, such as 4Chan, that may have violated the Online Safety Act. Given the harm that can stem from such platforms, it becomes imperative for tech companies to assume responsibility for the content they host and foster a safer virtual environment.
