Latest news with #FirstTimeVideos
Sky News
a day ago
- Politics
- Sky News
4Chan being investigated by UK officials under new online safety rules
Why you can trust Sky News 4Chan, an online forum notorious for its extreme content, is being investigated by UK officials over its failure to comply with new internet safety rules. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, said it had received complaints about potential illegal content on 4Chan, as it announced nine new investigations into sites that may have broken new rules. A porn site and seven file sharing websites are also being investigated. Under the new Online Safety Act, porn sites must develop strict age verification processes for users. Websites where people can see content shared by others, like 4Chan or social media, need to assess the risk of UK users encountering illegal content on their platforms. 4Chan has not submitted any such assessment, according to the regulator. 2:48 The seven file-sharing services have also been reported for the possible sharing of child sexual abuse material. Ofcom is also investigating whether porn site First Time Videos appropriately vets the age of its users. By July, sites hosting age-restricted content must have a "robust" age verification process in place. The rules have faced criticism from campaigners in the past for not going far enough. 1:11 Mariano Janin, whose teenage daughter Mia killed herself after being bullied online, told Sky News in April that the new rules are "too small, too little, too slow". In Australia, officials have taken dramatic action to try and deal with online harms for young people, and from December, under-16s will be banned from social media.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
UK media regulator investigates possible online safety breaches at 4chan
Britain's media regulator Ofcom on Tuesday launched nine investigations into internet message board 4chan as well as several file-sharing services over possible breaches of online safety laws. Britain's Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, sets tougher standards for platforms to tackle criminal activity, with an emphasis on child protection and illegal content. The regulator said it had received complaints about potential illegal content on 4chan and, separately, possible sharing of child sexual abuse material on seven file-sharing services. Ofcom is investigating whether 4chan and the file-sharing services failed to put appropriate safety measures to protect users from illegal content and to respond to a statutory information request. It also wants to assess whether they kept proper risk assessment records. 4chan could not be reached for comment. The regulator can require platforms to take specific measures to ensure compliance with the rules, or fine them up to £18m ($24.28m) or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion Ofcom's announcement also said it was investigating whether First Time Videos, which provides pornographic services, has effective enough age assurance in place to protect children.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Ofcom investigates 4chan and porn site over suspected child safety breaches
The media regulator is looking into whether the sites have broken new rules under the Online Safety Act, which require online services to crack down on child sexual abuse material and put strong safety measures in place for UK users. The platforms under investigation include 4chan, porn provider First Time Videos, which runs and and seven file-sharing services: Krakenfiles, Nippybox, Nippydrive, Nippyshare, Nippyspace and Yolobit. Ofcom said it received complaints about illegal activity on 4chan and potential sharing of child abuse images on the file-sharing sites. It also said none of the services responded to legal information requests. The First Time Videos probe will examine whether it has 'highly effective' age checks to stop children viewing porn, which is now a legal requirement for such sites. A spokesperson said: 'We have received complaints about the potential for illegal content and activity on 4chan, and possible sharing of child sexual abuse material on the file-sharing services.' If the companies are found to have broken the law, Ofcom can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover, and even seek court orders to block UK access. The regulator said more enforcement action is expected as wider parts of the Online Safety Act come into force from the end of July.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Ofcom investigates 4chan and porn site over suspected child safety breaches
Ofcom investigates 4chan and porn site over suspected child safety breaches The media regulator is looking into whether the sites have broken new rules under the Online Safety Act, which require online services to crack down on child sexual abuse material and put strong safety measures in place for UK users (Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved ) Ofcom has launched a string of investigations into 4chan, a porn site operator and several file-sharing platforms over suspected failures to protect children and prevent illegal content. The media regulator is looking into whether the sites have broken new rules under the Online Safety Act, which require online services to crack down on child sexual abuse material and put strong safety measures in place for UK users. The platforms under investigation include 4chan, porn provider First Time Videos, which runs and and seven file-sharing services: Krakenfiles, Nippybox, Nippydrive, Nippyshare, Nippyspace and Yolobit. Ofcom said it received complaints about illegal activity on 4chan and potential sharing of child abuse images on the file-sharing sites. It also said none of the services responded to legal information requests. Article continues below The First Time Videos probe will examine whether it has "highly effective" age checks to stop children viewing porn, which is now a legal requirement for such sites. A spokesperson said: "We have received complaints about the potential for illegal content and activity on 4chan, and possible sharing of child sexual abuse material on the file-sharing services." If the companies are found to have broken the law, Ofcom can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover, and even seek court orders to block UK access. Article continues below The regulator said more enforcement action is expected as wider parts of the Online Safety Act come into force from the end of July.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Ofcom investigates 4chan and porn site over suspected child safety breaches
Ofcom has launched a string of investigations into 4chan, a porn site operator and several file-sharing platforms over suspected failures to protect children and prevent illegal content. The media regulator is looking into whether the sites have broken new rules under the Online Safety Act, which require online services to crack down on child sexual abuse material and put strong safety measures in place for UK users. The platforms under investigation include 4chan, porn provider First Time Videos, which runs and and seven file-sharing services: Krakenfiles, Nippybox, Nippydrive, Nippyshare, Nippyspace and Yolobit. Ofcom said it received complaints about illegal activity on 4chan and potential sharing of child abuse images on the file-sharing sites. It also said none of the services responded to legal information requests. The First Time Videos probe will examine whether it has 'highly effective' age checks to stop children viewing porn, which is now a legal requirement for such sites. A spokesperson said: 'We have received complaints about the potential for illegal content and activity on 4chan, and possible sharing of child sexual abuse material on the file-sharing services.' If the companies are found to have broken the law, Ofcom can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover, and even seek court orders to block UK access. The regulator said more enforcement action is expected as wider parts of the Online Safety Act come into force from the end of July.
