Wikipedia Online Safety Act has lost its High Court’s challenge against the UK government on verification rules.
Non-benefit Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), with an anonymous editor (BLN), demanded exemption from the stage Rules introduced in March,
He argued that compliance will force online encyclopedia Verify on reluctant users Or limit its UK user base.
However, in Monday’s judgment, Mr. Justice Johnson dismissed the claims in which the methods of operating within the law “without improper harm to the operation of Wikipedia”.
Online security act Provisions aimed at reducing harmful materials.
A part of the rules classifies some sites as category one, defined by the number of monthly users of a site, as well as the information that the information is shared.
Ruart Pens for WMF told the previous hearing that the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, which was defending the claim, had made the rules very wide.
He said that if Wikipedia is to be classified as category one, and verification is to become mandatory for all users, this article will make “gibbish” because the contents of non-satisfied users will be filtered.
Regulations “major, more designed for profit-tasting were designed Technology companies” Such as FacebookX and Instagram, they argued, while verification of Wikipedia users would be a violation of their human rights.
Cecilia Ivimy Casey for the government, said that ministers reviewed Ofcom Guidance and particularly believed whether Wikipedia should be exempted from rules and it should be rejected.
He said that he decided that Wikipedia is “a suitable service in principle, on which the category to implement a duties” and how the minister arrived at that option, “without proper foundation nor irrational”.
Dismissing the claims of WMF and BLN, Mr. Justice Johnson said that his decision “does not”. Secretary of State A green light to implement a governance that will greatly disrupt the operation of Wikipedia ”.
Doing this would mean that the government has to justify applying as a ratio, he said.
The judge also said that the decision to make Wikipedia a category of service is now with COMCOM.
If this happens, it can open a possible Avenue for further legal action.
Justice Johnson said, “What types of services within the category fall in the category, a public law decision that is potentially responsible for the court review on the basis of public law error.”
