Wikipedia Operator Loses Court Challenge to UK Online Safety Act Rules

The Wikimedia Foundation claims that UK internet rules compromise its contributors’ rights to privacy and safety and could force it to reduce its UK user base.

Illustration of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia website application, in Paris on Jan. 24, 2025. Riccardo Milani/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

The operator of Wikipedia on Aug. 11 lost a high court challenge to the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) rules that could require it to verify the identities of its contributors.

The Wikimedia Foundation said that if the platform were subject to the OSA’s Category 1 duties, it would have to drastically reduce the number of UK users who can access the site.