Taylor Lorenz’s Power User 4Chan's Battle to Stop the UK From Censoring the Global Internet
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Jan 2, 2026 Preston Byrne, a lawyer and free-speech advocate, dives into the battle against the UK's Online Safety Act, which is sparking global censorship concerns. He reveals how this law threatens American speech by forcing compliance with UK rules, affecting even controversial platforms like 4Chan and Gab. Byrne outlines his strategy of legal challenges and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of preserving First Amendment rights. He discusses the potential for U.S. pushback against European regulations and how this fight could shape the future of the internet.
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UK Law Triggered Global Internet Fight
- The UK Online Safety Act caused sweeping, immediate censorship across many online communities.
- Small platforms like 4chan and Kiwi Farms are mounting a legal fight that could reshape global internet governance.
How NetzDG Sparked U.S. Pushback
- Preston Byrne began defending clients after Germany's NetzDG targeted small platforms like Gab in 2018.
- He pushed back by involving U.S. officials which stopped enforcement notices from being served.
OSA's Three-Pronged Compliance Burden
- The Online Safety Act forces risk assessments, proactive takedowns, and notice-and-takedown for content, including items legal in the U.S.
- That extraterritorial reach pressures U.S. platforms to alter policies for global compliance, impacting American speech.