The UK has been on a spree since last year, slamming online social media platforms with fines over their age verification laws, and the newest target was 4Chan. But if you know how the notorious image board works, you can already guess how things went down.
This US-based messaging platform shot back at the demands with an image of a giant AI hamster dressed in a Godzilla outfit. The intentions of implementing age verification laws from the UK government might have been something that was long overdue.
But there are some places where poking would result in an absolute explosion of ridicule; 4Chan is that kind of place. Naturally, the reply has gained a lot of traction over the internet, and users are taking the moment to relish in memes and jokes.
4Chan’s lawyer came out to make a statement
The UK online safety and regulatory body, Ofcom, had addressed the website and placed fines on it, which amounted to £520,000 for not complying with the age verification laws. Which is something the administration has been trying to shove down everyone’s throats.
The regulation seeks to implement a system that bars underage users from viewing adult and vulgar content over the internet. After declining the demands and replying with the absurdly giant hamster photo, 4Chan’s own lawyer had to put out a statement further hammering their decision.
Preston Byrne took to Twitter/X to state that 4Chan is a website based in the US, and in its own country, they were not breaking any kinds of laws. “Its conduct is expressly protected by the First Amendment,” he added.
Social Media is confused about the situation
As soon as the details around this whole situation dropped on social media and other places on the internet, it was met with awkward stares. Because people online know well the kind of messaging board 4Chan is.
It is notorious for some of the biggest controversies throughout the whole world for decades, and even recently, it has been rumored to have links to the Jeffrey Epstein files. So people are pointing to Ofcom administration and laughing at the situation.
Some users pointed out how this was the most 4Chan-esque reply to a demand from a government body ever. While others were cracking at the question of how there is no way to implement the law on an anonymous user-based website, like that.
It is highly likely that the current US administration won’t comply with the UK regulatory body’s actions if they try to enforce the fines. Local sentiments have always been of annoyance towards foreign powers trying to regulate businesses in the states.
There has not been any direct reply that has popped up yet from the UK regulatory authorities regarding the AI image of a giant hamster in a Godzilla outfit. But there will definitely be further developments if the administration is serious about the implementation of age verification laws.
