Wikipedia fights the UK’s ‘flawed’ and ‘burdensome’ online safety rules
1 min read
Summary
Non-profit charity the Wikimedia Foundation has challenged the broad wording of the UK’s recently passed Online Safety Act, which could leave its online encyclopaedia Wikipedia subject to the most stringent safety duties that could negatively affect the platform’s ability to operate.
The act was designed to make social media companies accountable for harmful content, but could designate Wikipedia as a “category 1 service” that would have to verify users’ identities, which the foundation says could lead to issues with data protection and exposure to malicious actors.
Whilst the act is not due to come into force until 2026, the foundation has taken legal action now as the UK’s communications regulator Ofcom is already beginning to request information in relation to Wikipedia’s classification.
The foundation claims the legislation could undermine the privacy of its volunteers and expose them to data breaches, lawsuits or imprisonment.