4chan 在美國對 Ofcom 提起法律訴訟

The online forums 4chan and Kiwi Farms are facing legal trouble with Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator. Ofcom is responsible for enforcing the Online Safety Act, a law designed to protect people in the UK from harmful content on the internet. Even though 4chan and Kiwi Farms are based in the United States, Ofcom says they must follow the law if they have users in the UK or if the UK is a target market for their services. This means that websites outside the UK can still be held responsible for keeping UK users safe online.

Lawyers for 4chan and Kiwi Farms strongly disagree with Ofcom’s position. They have filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Washington DC, asking the court to stop Ofcom from enforcing the Online Safety Act against them in the US. The lawyers argue that American citizens should not lose their constitutional rights, such as free speech, just because Ofcom contacts them. They also claim that the Online Safety Act conflicts with the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and other rights. The legal complaint says that Ofcom has threatened 4chan with a large fine and daily penalties for not providing information about how it protects users from illegal content. Ofcom has also contacted Kiwi Farms, asking it to assess the risks of illegal content and report back by April 2025.

The lawsuit is being brought by the companies behind 4chan and Kiwi Farms, who say their sites follow US laws. They argue that Ofcom is trying to use its powers to force American businesses to obey UK laws, which could lead to huge fines or even criminal charges. The lawyers want the court to declare that Ofcom’s orders are not valid in the US and to issue a permanent ban preventing Ofcom from trying to enforce the Online Safety Act against them. This case is important because it could set a precedent for how international websites are treated by UK laws. Both sides are waiting for the court’s decision, which could have a big impact on online safety and free speech rights.