The Wikimedia Foundation announced on 10 July 2026 that Ofcom determined Wikipedia is not currently a Category 1 service under the UK Online Safety Act (OSA). However, Wikipedia remains on a "watch list" and could be reclassified in the future, posing an existential threat to its privacy and community moderation model.

Category 1 designation would require identity verification systems restricting rights of users worldwide who don't register real IDs. The Foundation campaigned in 2023 and sued in May 2025 with editor Zzuuzz, arguing categorization criteria were overbroad. The High Court dismissed the case in August 2025 but warned Ofcom against impeding Wikipedia's operations.

Ofcom's novel reading of the law provides temporary relief, but without permanent exemption, Wikipedia remains vulnerable. The Foundation will continue advocating for formal protection of public-interest spaces under the OSA, thanking Zzuuzz for "detailed and compelling" submissions cited by the judge.