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On June 10, 2025, Ofcom, the British government's communications regulator, announced an investigation into 4chan for potential violations of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA), Ofcom has the power to fine companies up to 10% of their global revenues, or £18m — whichever is the greater number. 4chan's lawyer issued a statement that the website "will not pay any penalty". He also stated, "American businesses do not surrender their First Amendment rights because a foreign bureaucrat sends them an email".
On 19 March 2026, Ofcom issued 4chan a £450,000 fine for failing to implement age checks in line with the OSA. It also fined the site a further £20,000 for not specifying how users are protected from illegal content, and £50,000 for not carrying out an illegal content risk assessment. In response to the fine, 4chan's lawyer sent Ofcom an AI-generated image of a hamster and said, "In the only country in which 4chan operates, the United States, it is breaking no law and indeed its conduct is expressly protected by the First Amendment." 4Chan has refused to pay all previous fines from Ofcom.
On 19 March 2026, Ofcom issued 4chan a £450,000 fine for failing to implement age checks in line with the OSA. It also fined the site a further £20,000 for not specifying how users are protected from illegal content, and £50,000 for not carrying out an illegal content risk assessment. In response to the fine, 4chan's lawyer sent Ofcom an AI-generated image of a hamster and said, "In the only country in which 4chan operates, the United States, it is breaking no law and indeed its conduct is expressly protected by the First Amendment." 4Chan has refused to pay all previous fines from Ofcom.