London Deputy Managing Partner Terry Green was quoted in the media, including Reuters, Global Banking & Finance Review, U.S. News & World Report, the Straits Times (Singapore) and Yahoo Finance, regarding the US lawsuit brought by internet forums 4chan and Kiwi Farms against the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom), claiming that Ofcom's enforcement of the Online Safety Act (OSA) violates Americans’ freedom of speech.
4chan is currently being investigated by Ofcom on compliance with the OSA under threat of financial penalties. The case brought against Ofcom by 4chan claims the regulator had sent "threatening communications" to other internet companies based in the United States, asserting that the OSA interferes with their constitutional rights and US operations. The OSA applies extraterritorially to any social media platform with UK users, regardless of where the platforms are based.
Terry called the case a "critical moment" in Ofcom's enforcement of the OSA. "Ofcom's response to this lawsuit will be crucial as this [challenge by 4chan] has the risk of being replicated across the United States and even globally," he said. "There is no doubt that overseas platforms are all keeping a close eye on how this lawsuit progresses and Ofcom's response to it."
"Internet forum 4chan sues UK regulator in US over free speech," Reuters, August 28, 2025
"Internet forum 4chan sues UK regulator in US over free speech," *U.S. News & World Report, August 28, 2025
"Internet forum 4chan sues UK regulator in US over free speech," Global Banking & Finance Review, August 28, 2025
"Internet forum 4chan sues UK regulator in US over free speech," Yahoo News, August 28, 2025
"Internet forum 4chan sues British regulator in US over free speech," The Straits Times, August 28, 2025
"The legal action in the USA by 4chan against Ofcom," The Legal Diary, August 29, 2025
"Internet forum 4chan sues UK regulator in US over free speech," London South East, August 28, 2025
"4chan, Kiwi Farms file lawsuit against Ofcom," National Technology News, August 28, 2025
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*Larry Wong, a trainee in our London office, contributed to these articles.
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