>>188169, >>188170, >>188171, >>188172, >>188173, >>188174, >>188175, >>188176, >>188177, >>188178, >>188179, >>188180, >>188181, >>188182, >>188183, >>188184, >>188185, >>188186, >>188187, >>188188 >>188189, >>188190, >>188191, >>188192, >>188193, >>188194, >>188195, >>188196, >>188197
Byrne's response to the first demand was an AI-generated hamster – a legal in-joke about improperly served papers being fit for rodent bedding.
When Ofcom wrote again with bank transfer details attached, Byrne posted the exchange publicly and sent another one.
The written reply cited the absence of UK assets, explained what enforcement would actually require in US court, and concluded – borrowing from Michael Jackson – "just beat it."
Congress Is Pushing the GRANITE Act to Kill UK Censorship of American Sites
Legal observers agree Ofcom has no path forward.
Myles Jackson said Ofcom has "no right imposing fines on US domiciled companies that they have no right to collect" and that the UK government has "no jurisdiction over the American Constitution."
Barrister Daniel ShenSmith put it plainly: "No US court is ever going to help Ofcom enforce this fine and override your own laws. It's frankly embarrassing."
Of the millions of pounds in fines Ofcom has issued under the Online Safety Act, only one company has paid in full – and it blocked UK users at the same time.
Every other target has ignored Ofcom or laughed at it.
Britain's Online Safety Act claims jurisdiction over every American website with British users – which means every American website, period.
At least 29 other nations have passed similar laws, with their regulators watching Ofcom to see if the tactic works.
Every conservative news site, comment section, and podcast platform on the internet is in the crosshairs.
Senator Eric Schmitt and Chairman Jordan are both advancing the GRANITE Act – the Guaranteeing Rights Against Novel International Tyranny and Extortion Act.
The bill strips sovereign immunity from foreign governments that try to censor Americans, opening them to lawsuits in US courts with damages starting at $1 million per violation.
Wyoming passed its own version through the state house 46-12.
The State Department has confirmed federal legislation is coming.