Ofcom Slaps 4chan With £520K Fine Over Safety Violations
UK regulator Ofcom hits 4chan with a hefty fine for failing to implement age checks and conduct proper risk assessments.
4chan just got a £520K bill from Ofcom. The UK regulator penalized the notorious imageboard for OSA violations, with the bulk — £450K — stemming from its failure to implement age assurance checks.
The site now has until April 2 to get its act together. Ofcom is demanding 4chan roll out age assurance measures and complete a "suitable and sufficient" illegal harms risk assessment.
For a platform long synonymous with unmoderated chaos, this is a significant regulatory crackdown. The fine signals Ofcom is willing to go after even the most notoriously hands-off platforms.
Whether 4chan actually complies by the deadline remains to be seen. The £520K penalty is relatively modest, but it sets a clear precedent: ignore UK safety requirements and expect consequences.