The Wikimedia Foundation has lost a High Court bid to block parts of Britain’s Online Safety Act, which imposes strict rules on online platforms. The foundation argued that being classified under the law’s highest “Category 1” tier — requiring identity verification for users and contributors — would force it to drastically cut site access, according to Reuters.

Judge Jeremy Johnson dismissed the case but said Wikimedia could challenge the law again if regulator Ofcom wrongly designates Wikipedia as Category 1. Critics, including social media platform X and free-speech advocates, say the act risks overreach and censorship. The UK government defends it as vital to protecting children and tackling illegal content.