4chan Noncompliance Leads to £800,000 Fine for Porn Provider

Jordan Hartwell

Published: February 13, 2026 5:40 PM ET

4chan Noncompliance Leads to £800,000 Fine for Porn Provider

A recent enforcement action has resulted in an £800,000 fine for Kick Online Entertainment SA. This penalty follows the company’s failure to implement mandatory age verification measures designed to protect children from adult content.

Overview of the Fine

The fine was issued by Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator. It stems from the company’s non-compliance with the Online Safety Act, which requires “highly effective” age checks. The deadline for compliance was July 25, 2025, but Kick Online Entertainment remained non-compliant from July to December 2025.

Ofcom’s Enforcement Actions

Suzanne Cater, Ofcom’s Director of Enforcement, stated that companies must prioritize child protection by implementing age checks. “Having highly effective age checks on adult sites to protect children from pornographic content is non-negotiable,” Cater emphasized.

Kick Online Entertainment faces additional fines:

£30,000 for failing to respond to Ofcom’s inquiries
A recurring daily fine of £200

While Kick has since updated its systems, Ofcom is investigating additional sites for similar violations.

Issues with 4chan

A significant legal confrontation is unfolding with the U.S.-based message board 4chan. Ofcom has indicated a potential £520,000 fine for the site’s lack of age verification.

Legal Arguments

4chan’s attorney, Preston Byrne, claims the platform has not violated any laws relevant to its jurisdiction in the United States. He argues that enforcing UK fines violates the First Amendment, which safeguards free speech.

Possible Consequences for Non-Compliance

If 4chan continues to resist payment, Ofcom may escalate its legal actions. The regulator has the authority to seek court orders to block access to the website in the UK. This could involve UK internet service providers being mandated to prevent users from accessing 4chan.

Additionally, Ofcom can introduce “business disruption measures,” which could compel payment processors and advertisers to sever ties with non-compliant platforms.

Ofcom has reassured the public that investigations are ongoing. They are prepared to take further enforcement actions where necessary, indicating a determined stance against non-compliant online platforms.