Overview

• The joint complaint was filed August 27 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asserting the sites operate wholly in the United States and are outside UK jurisdiction.
• Ofcom said it is aware of the suit and maintains the Online Safety Act applies to any service with links to the UK regardless of where it is based.
• On August 13, Ofcom issued a provisional finding that 4chan had contravened its duties and began assessing a £20,000 daily penalty for noncompliance.
• The filing contends Ofcom has threatened sanctions including fines up to £18 million and possible prison time for operators if requirements are ignored.
• The law took effect July 25 with mandatory age checks and enforcement tools that include large fines and potential UK blocking, drawing objections from privacy and free‑speech advocates.