UK High Court dismisses Wikimedia Foundation's challenge to Online Safety Act
In the UK, where the Online Safety Act, a law to protect children's safety in online environments, is being gradually implemented from 2023, the Wikimedia Foundation, the operator of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, has filed an objection to the law, which could be subject to stricter regulations such as user identity verification. The High Court has rejected the appeal.
Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations – Wikimedia Foundation
Wikipedia can challenge Online Safety Act if strictest rules apply to it, says judge | Wikipedia | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/aug/11/wikipedia-can-challenge-online-safety-act-strictest-rules-high-court
Wikipedia host loses challenge to Online Safety Act regs • The Register
High Court rejects Wikipedia challenge to online censorship laws
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/08/11/high-court-rejects-wikipedia-challenge-online-censorship/
The Online Safety Act, which was enacted in 2023 to regulate harmful content, including illegal drugs and child sexual abuse, is designed to protect children online and is being implemented in stages. However, because it was a rushed start, the Wikimedia Foundation, Apple, and human rights groups have expressed opposition, citing the potential threat to freedom of speech.
In particular, the proposed amendments to the law would place Wikipedia, operated by the Wikimedia Foundation, in Category 1, a category that would require users to verify their identities and block anonymous user posts. The Wikimedia Foundation argued that this would 'undermine privacy,' and filed a lawsuit against the Online Safety Act itself and the Category 1 criteria.
Wikimedia Foundation takes legal action, claiming that UK regulations will 'destroy' Wikipedia - GIGAZINE
by throwthedamnthing
The High Court dismissed the Wikimedia Foundation's challenge, finding that the organization had failed to prove flaws in online safety legislation. However, Justice Johnson said the ruling did not give the green light to Technology Minister Peter Kyle or the regulator, Ofcom, to 'introduce measures that significantly impede the operation of Wikipedia.'
Ofcom has not yet officially decided whether Wikipedia will be classified as Category 1, but it is expected to make a decision by the end of the summer.
Judge Johnson did not rule on whether Wikipedia should be classified as Category 1, but said that if Ofcom were to classify Wikipedia as Category 1 and it were to seriously impede its operation, Technology Minister Kyle might have to reconsider the law.
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