4chan, an online messaging board, is being investigated by Ofcom over alleged failures to comply with the Online Safety Act.

According to the internet regulator, complaints have been levied against the platform for allegedly illegal content.

Ofcom is also investigating the adult website First Time Videos over its age verification methods, as well as a number of file sharing services over alleged child sexual abuse material.

The file sharing platforms include Im.ge, Krakenfiles, Nippybox, Nippydrive, Nippyshare, Nippyspace, and Yolobit, which have all failed to respond to Ofcom’s statutory information requests, as required by law.

Ofcom has already contacted 4chan attempting to acquire its risk assessment, which it has not received.

Under the Online Safety Act, large online platforms must present a risk assessment to Ofcom, analysing the risk UK users have of coming across illegal content on their platforms. Websites must also protect users from accessing or viewing any illegal content.

Ofcom has yet to disclose what type of illegal activity it is looking for in its investigation into 4cahn, just that it seeks clarity on if the platform “has failed, or is failing, to comply with its duties to protect its users from illegal content.”

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Under the Online Safety Act, companies can be fined up to 10% of their global revenue or £18m – whatever is greater – by Ofcom if they are found in breach of their duties under the Act.

4chan itself has had a complicated history in the public eye, as users can remain anonymous, allowing users to share harmful or extreme views and content often without consequences.