Meta, TikTok and X Challenge Ofcom Data Demands Under Online Safety Act
Ofcom says Meta may have failed to assess illegal-content and child-safety risks before launching the feature, which could bring fines of up to £18 million.
- On Tuesday, British communications regulator Ofcom opened its first formal investigation into Meta, questioning whether it properly assessed risks posed by Instagram Instants before launching the feature in May.
- Meta, TikTok, and X are challenging Ofcom in court, alleging that February information notices demanding granular content-moderation metrics create unprecedented regulatory burdens under the nascent Online Safety Act.
- Ofcom's investigation centers on whether Meta completed two legally required reviews—one covering illegal content risks and one addressing child safety—before Instants went live.
- If Ofcom confirms a breach, it can order Meta to comply and remedy harm, with potential penalties reaching up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.
- The case tests enforcement limits of the 2023 Online Safety Act as regulators seek to hold an industry accountable that remained unregulated and unaccountable for more than 20 years.
54 Articles
54 Articles
The "Instants" function, launched in May, allows sharing on the Instagram social network ephemeral content that disappears after being seen. The research aims to "determine whether Meta failed to comply with its obligations" by not carrying out, prior to the launch of that Instagram function, an adequate and sufficient assessment of the risks related to illegal content and potential dangers for minors, the statement says. "The significant change…
Meta court battle will not delay Instagram probe, Ofcom says
Meta’s legal challenge against Ofcom has not delayed the regulator’s separate investigation into Instagram, Ofcom has told City AM. The watchdog said the ongoing English High Court proceedings had “not impacted the timing” of its decision to investigate whether Meta broke UK online safety rules when it launched Instagram Instants. The comments come as Meta, [...]
For regulatory body, big tech did not properly assess the risks of illegal content
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