US Court Bars 4chan, Kiwi Farms Suits Against UK Ofcom Over Online Safety Act
A US court dismissed 4chan and Kiwi Farms' suit against UK Ofcom over online safety enforcement for lack of jurisdiction.
Why it matters: This ruling clarifies that US courts will not hear lawsuits challenging UK regulators like Ofcom, influencing cross-border legal tech compliance and internet regulation strategies. Legal teams must navigate enforcement within national jurisdictions rather than US courts.
- 4chan and Kiwi Farms sued UK regulator Ofcom in US courts on August 27, 2025, contesting enforcement of the UK Online Safety Act.
- US District Judge Rudolph Contreras dismissed the case on September 15, 2026, citing lack of US jurisdiction.
- Ofcom imposed fines totaling approximately £352,000 (around $433,000) on 4chan for violating the Online Safety Act as of April 2026.
- Judge Contreras ruled US courts are not proper venues to block foreign regulatory actions, directing defendants to UK courts.
On September 15, 2026, US District Judge Rudolph Contreras dismissed a lawsuit brought by 4chan Community Support LLC and Lolcow LLC (operator of Kiwi Farms) against the UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom). The plaintiffs contested Ofcom's enforcement of the UK Online Safety Act, alleging interference with their constitutional rights and business operations.
However, the court ruled it lacked jurisdiction over the case, highlighting that such disputes belong in UK courts. The lawsuit started after Ofcom issued a provisional notice of contravention on August 12, 2025, threatening fines for alleged breaches of the Online Safety Act. By April 2026, Ofcom had imposed cumulative fines totaling approximately £352,000 (about $433,000) on 4chan.
Judge Contreras stated that the plaintiffs attempted to use US courts “as a sword against Ofcom rather than as a shield to protect themselves.” The court explained that since the plaintiffs have no operations outside the UK, and enforcement of UK judgments in the US requires separate proceedings, the appropriate forum to challenge Ofcom's actions is within British courts.
This decision underscores the legal challenges of jurisdiction in the digital age, especially with international internet regulation. A UK Ofcom official commented that the court's ruling “recognized our authority as a UK regulator to investigate breaches of the UK’s online safety laws.” The Independent reported on the case.
For legal professionals in compliance and legal tech, this ruling stresses the importance of addressing regulatory disputes within the correct national frameworks. US courts will not act as a venue for preemptively halting actions by foreign regulatory bodies.
An additional coverage by Lexology highlights the implications for cross-border enforcement of online safety laws, reinforcing that foreign entities face jurisdictional limits when contesting UK regulations in US courts.
By the numbers:
- £352,000 — fine imposed by Ofcom on 4chan by April 2026
- August 27, 2025 — date 4chan and Kiwi Farms filed lawsuit in US courts
- September 15, 2026 — date US District Judge dismissed the lawsuit
What's next: The ruling may prompt additional jurisdictional challenges in internet regulation cases as global enforcement of online safety laws evolves.