Overview

• The High Court of Justice dismissed the Wikimedia Foundation’s judicial review of the Online Safety Act’s Categorisation Regulations on August 11, 2025.
• Mr Justice Johnson affirmed Wikipedia’s significant public-interest role and warned that Ofcom and the Secretary of State could face legal repercussions if the regulations impede its operations.
• The judge suggested that regulators either adopt a flexible interpretation of the Categorisation Regulations or seek parliamentary amendments to protect volunteer privacy.
• Ofcom’s first decisions on service categorisation are expected this summer, potentially triggering Category 1 duties that include mandatory identity verification.
• The Wikimedia Foundation stands ready to mount a fresh legal challenge if Ofcom “impermissibly concludes” that Wikipedia qualifies as a Category 1 service.