Meta, TikTok and X Challenge Ofcom Data Demands Under Online Safety Act
The companies say Ofcom’s notices demand unprecedented, granular moderation data, while the regulator says the information is needed to test the new regime.
- Meta, TikTok, and X are challenging British regulator Ofcom in court over data demands issued under the 2023 Online Safety Act, arguing the notices create "unprecedented regulatory burdens."
- Issued in February, the notices require detailed content moderation metrics; companies claim requests exceed EU Digital Services Act standards without clear regulatory justification.
- Defending the mandates, Ofcom officials state the data is necessary to evaluate the new regime, noting Parliament charged the agency with regulating an industry "unregulated and unaccountable for more than 20 years."
- On Tuesday, Ofcom announced an investigation into whether Meta properly assessed risks for its Instagram Instants feature before the May launch, as required under the Online Safety Act.
- Enforcement powers include fines reaching 10% of global turnover for serious breaches; as hearings conclude this week, Meta faces additional legal challenges regarding fee calculations.
46 Articles
46 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
In "Instagram Instants" images disappear after first viewing – the British communications supervisor doubts that Meta has sufficiently examined the risks in advance.
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