Ofcom has fined 4chan £20,000 for failing to respond to its requests for its illegal harms risk assessment and its qualifying worldwide revenue.

The UK regulator is empowered to fine the company for these failures through powers in The Online Safety Act. In order to properly regulate and investigate companies to maintain internet safety as prescribed in the Act, Ofcom has to the power to request documents and and assessments from companies which mut be complied with swiftly and accurately.

4chan will further be fined for £100 a day starting on 14 October for either 60 days or until it provides Ofcom with the requested information, whichever is sooner.

The controversial social media platform allows users to share content anonymously, and has been notorious as a hotbed for extremist hate groups to gather and network.

Liz Kendall, technology secretary, said that fine issued a “clear warning” to firms failing to comply with the Online Safety Act.

“The Online Safety Act is not just law, it’s a lifeline,” the secretary said. “Today we’ve seen it in action, holding platforms to account so we can protect people across the UK.

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“Services can no longer ignore illegal content, like encouraging self-harm or suicide, circulating online which can devastate young lives and leaves families shattered.

“This fine is a clear warning to those who fail to remove illegal content or protect children from harmful material. We fully back the regulator in taking action against all platforms that do not protect users from the darkest corners of the internet.”