4Chan trolls UK goverment with AI hamster after issuing site massive $700k fine
UK regulator Ofcom fined 4Chan £520,000 ($690,000) for violating the sling-tv-where-to-watch-prairie-view-am-panthers-vs-florid.html" class="story-link" title="NCAA March Madness on Sling TV: Where to Watch Prairie View A&M Panthers vs. Flo">Online Safety Act 2023, primarily for failing to implement age verification to prevent children from accessing pornographic content. The largest portion of the fine, £450,000, was specifically for the lack of proper age checks. 4Chan responded to the fine by posting an AI-generated image of a hamster, effectively mocking the UK government's enforcement action.
4Chan failed to meet basic safety obligations under the Online Safety Act, particularly in preventing children from accessing harmful pornographic content. The substantial fine reflects the seriousness of these violations and the need for all platforms to implement proper age verification systems regardless of where they're based.
The platform dismissed the UK's enforcement action entirely, responding with a mocking AI-generated hamster image rather than any substantive compliance measures. This response suggests 4Chan views the UK fine as unenforceable given its US-based operations and has no intention of changing its practices to comply with British law.
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US messageboard 4Chan mocks £520,000 fine for UK online safety breaches
r/technology
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4Chan trolls UK goverment with AI hamster after issuing site massive $700k fine
Dexerto
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4chan hit with £450,000 UK fine over age checks
r/technology
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US messageboard 4Chan mocks £520,000 fine for UK online safety breaches
BBC Tech
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US messageboard 4Chan mocks £520,000 fine for UK online safety breaches
BBC News
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UK fines 4chan nearly $700,000 for failing its online safety act obligations
Engadget