The Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees the free online encyclopedia,
Wikipedia
, is
challenging an aspect
of the
UK’s Online Safety Bill
The Online Safety Act (OSA) seeks to safeguard users from detrimental material found online by enforcing regulations and penalties on major Internet platforms like social media corporations. Although this legislation was initially enacted in 2023, implementation and classification of firms subjected to the act have just begun.
taking shape now
.
The legislation classifies online platforms into different tiers, each subject to distinct limitations and oversight measures. Specifically, Wikimedia is contesting the “category classification” rules within this law, asserting that Ofcom—the regulatory body for communications in the UK—is employing an inadequate and ambiguous set of criteria to determine which category a particular platform belongs to.
Under the
current definition
Metrics such as the number of UK-based users and features allowing for forwarding or sharing content could lead Wikipedia to be classified as a high-risk “Category 1” platform. Such classification would place Wikipedia alongside major social networks including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, among others.
Phil Bradley-Schmieg, who leads the Wikimedia Foundation as their chief legal advisor, shared
a blog post
The organization had been collaborating with UK regulatory bodies for many years in an effort to elucidate the regulations in a way they believed would be more equitable.
Platforms categorized as Category 1 face stricter regulations requiring them to swiftly eliminate harmful content.
ensuring proper age verification
, preventing cyberbullying and more. The Wikimedia Foundation is arguing that Wikipedia should not be lumped into Category 1, as it is a nonprofit, ad-free and mostly volunteer-operated service.
In another blog post
The Wikimedia Foundation expresses its worries, stating that such limitations “pose significant challenges for us as we try to comply with rigorous reporting requirements,” and warns that the penalties associated with Category 1 status might result in “diminishing the ability of users wanting to maintain anonymity.”
The foundation
made clear
They ultimately back rules that might enhance online security. Bradley-Schmieg noted, “‘Since the OSA aims to create a more secure environment for internet use in the UK, it’s especially disappointing that we find ourselves having to protect the privacy and safety of Wikipedia’s volunteer contributors from this defective bill.'”
