Why is 4Chan causing conflict with Ofcom?

The messaging board, known for its controversial content and lack of strict moderation, has been making headlines lately due to the UK's Online Safety Act. This legislation has brought about a new era of internet regulation, with one of its main points being the requirement for adult websites to verify the ages of their users.

While this law may seem to only apply to explicit content, it has also had an impact on non-adult sites such as Reddit. These sites are now required to have age verification checks for any "mature content." However, not all sites are complying with this new regulation, leading to clashes with the regulatory body Ofcom and the possibility of being blocked by British internet providers.

One such site that is refusing to comply is the US-based messaging board 4chan. Often described as Reddit's rebellious older cousin, 4chan's lawyers have deemed the UK's regulations as "foreign censorship codes" and are refusing to implement any changes. As a result, Ofcom has fined 4chan £20,000 and has threatened daily penalties if they do not comply.

But the consequences could be even more severe, with the potential for fines up to £18 million or 10% of their revenue. Despite hosting explicit adult content, 4chan has not implemented strict age verification checks like other sites such as Pornhub. This has raised concerns as the site is also under investigation for not taking enough precautions to prevent illegal content from being shared.

4chan has a history of controversy, having been founded in 2003 with rules prohibiting the posting of anything that breaks "local or United States law." However, experts have noted that there is little evidence of moderators actively removing content besides child sex abuse material. The site's rules also allow for various extreme content, including controversial genres of anime or manga that feature explicit depictions of underage characters.

This "anything goes" culture, coupled with user anonymity, has given 4chan a reputation for being a breeding ground for disturbing and extreme content. It has also been linked to a number of conspiracy theories, collective actions, hoaxes, and even threats of violence. The site gained widespread attention when the uncensored video of the 2019 mass shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand was shared on the platform.

Christopher Poole, the founder of 4chan, has been vocal about his opposition to government restrictions on internet activity. However, the site has been associated with multiple incidents, including the sharing of plans for the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol by Trump supporters in 2021. This was also the first time that elements of the QAnon conspiracy movement became a major talking point among right-wing voters.

The movement, which promotes unsubstantiated claims about a secret child sex trafficking ring run by celebrities and US government officials, first appeared on 4chan in a series of posts by a user claiming to have high-level government clearance. This gained momentum by being linked to a previous conspiracy theory known as Pizzagate, which claimed that a Washington, DC pizzeria was hosting a child sex trafficking ring for elite clients.

4chan has also been associated with the Gamergate controversy, in which false allegations against a female game developer led to widespread online harassment and doxxing of not only her but other female industry figures. Many ordinary people have also claimed to have been victims of doxxing, revenge porn, and other forms of abuse through 4chan.

Despite the controversies, 4chan has remained a popular site, with many sub-forums dedicated to non-controversial topics such as nature, DIY, and music. However, explicit content, racism, and violence are still just a few clicks away, with only a simple self-certification check required to declare that the user is over 18.

Critics of the Online Safety Act argue that it could severely limit free speech by forcing platforms to censor any content deemed "extreme," not just illegal content. Privacy concerns have also been raised, as companies are required to collect more personal information from users to share with British regulators. The US Federal Trade Commission has warned that US companies may be violating American data security laws by complying with foreign internet regulations.

In response to Ofcom's investigation, 4chan's lawyers have stated that as a US-based company, they are protected under US law and are not subject to UK regulations. They have called on the Trump administration to take action to protect US-based websites from "extraterritorial censorship mandates." The situation remains ongoing, and it is uncertain how it will be resolved.

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