On Wednesday, the controversial social media platforms 4Chan and Kiwi Farms filed a federal lawsuit against the British government. They assert that the UK’s Online Safety Act infringes on their rights as American corporations under the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit was submitted to the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Their legal representatives, Preston Byrne and Ron Coleman, claim that their clients are being penalized by Ofcom, the agency responsible for regulating online content in the UK, for activities that are lawful where the websites operate.
The lawsuit highlights concerns related to the Online Safety Act, which seeks to address issues such as hate speech, harassment, and bullying—behaviors commonly associated with both 4Chan and Kiwi Farms. Kiwi Farms, in particular, has been linked to coordinated harassment campaigns against specific groups, while 4Chan has been involved in significant online controversies, including movements like Gamergate and the propagation of conspiracy theories.
Ofcom has warned that 4Chan and Kiwi Farms could incur fines up to £18 million if they do not comply with its requirements, which include regularly submitting risk assessments regarding their userbases. In August, Ofcom indicated that it believed 4Chan might be in violation of these compliance requirements. The lawsuit contends that Ofcom is overstepping its jurisdiction by enforcing UK law on U.S.-based companies that believe their actions are protected under American law.
Byrne stated to reporters, “American citizens do not surrender our constitutional rights just because Ofcom sends us an e-mail.” The Online Safety Act has faced international criticism, raising questions about its applicability to various platforms, including popular sites like Reddit and Wikipedia. Byrne noted that other companies facing similar jurisdictional issues are observing this case, as a favorable outcome for 4Chan and Kiwi Farms could set a precedent for them as well.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/social/767063/4chan-kiwi-farms-lawsuit-uk-ofcom