This action builds on prior penalties and ongoing enforcement after a smaller October fine for failing to share information about illegal content risks, amid a broader legal dispute with Ofcom in US courts.

In line with the UK Online Safety Act, Ofcom’s enforcement centers on mandatory age checks and risk assessments for any service with links to the UK, regardless of where the service is based.

Ofcom notes that services with UK links must protect British users and may face remedies including court orders to disrupt business or compel withdrawal of services from advertisers or payment providers if they don’t comply.

Suzanne Cater stresses that UK standards require age checks and risk assessments as core protections, with continued enforcement against firms that fall short, while avoiding commentary on the 4Chan image in question.

The regulator also levied £50,000 for not assessing the risk of illegal content and £20,000 for inadequacies in terms of service detailing user protections against illegal material.

The US case remains ongoing as Ofcom proceeds with penalties under the UK regime.

The regulator emphasizes that platforms must implement age checks, conduct risk assessments, and clearly outline user protections in terms of service to safeguard children from illegal or harmful content.

4Chan responded to the fines with an AI-generated hamster cartoon image, and its US-based lawyer argues First Amendment protections apply and that the company will not pay.

4Chan’s stance has consistently been to refuse payment, with the lawyer posting a hamster-cartoon image on X in response to the penalties.

Ofcom fined 4Chan £450,000 for failing to protect children from pornography and £70,000 for other safety failures, with additional penalties possible if compliance is not achieved by early April.

Analysts note 4Chan’s reputation as an anarchic platform and highlight the friction between UK regulatory moves and American tech firms, alongside broader moves toward stricter age checks like those seen with Pornhub in the UK.

4Chan launched a US lawsuit against Ofcom last August claiming the Online Safety Act targets free speech, an action Ofcom is seeking to dismiss while continuing penalties.