Wikipedia escapes Category 1 designation under the UK Online Safety Act for now
The UK regulator Ofcom has decided that Wikipedia does not currently qualify as a 'Category 1' service under the Online Safety Act. However, the site remains on a watch list, which the Wikimedia Foundation fears could eventually lead to privacy-invasive requirements like mandatory real-ID registration.
Why it matters
The decision impacts the operational freedom of major open-knowledge platforms and sets a precedent for how internet regulation handles user privacy.
The Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA) is legislation in the United Kingdom that aims to hold platform operators accountable for the safety of the people who use their apps and visit their websites. Though most obligations (like its child safety rules) are already in place and widely applicable (including to Wikipedia), additional duties are still to come.
In 2027, the law will impose extra obligations on the most popular services. They are being selected according to their userbase size and features, rather than their perceived level of risk to the public, with Category 1 subjected to most scrutiny and legislation.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in