Post #3800434
2026-07-13 13:46 UTC
#Wikipedia just dodged a bullet in the UK but is still in danger.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2026-07-13/Special_report
The bullet was the possibility of Category 1 classification under the UK Online Safety Act. It was spared that classification but remains on a "watch list" of platforms that "could become Category 1 at any point in the future."
If Wikipedia is later classified as Category 1, then either (1) contributors could no longer be pseudonymous or (2) Wikipedia would be subject to severe penalties under UK law.
How severe? The maximum penalty could include a fine up to £18 million, a UK-wide denial of access, and personal criminal liability for senior managers.
#Anonymity #OnlineSafetyAct #UKLaw
Replies (1)
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@beemoh@mastodonapp.uk 2026-07-13 19:35
@petersuber@fediscience.org ...so the UK Government *can* make senior managers criminally liable, but *wont do it to, say, banks or water companies? Interesting.