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UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta

Britain's communications regulator opened its first formal investigation into Meta under the Online Safety Act on Tuesday, examining whether the company properly assessed risks before launching the Instagram Instants feature in May. The probe will establish if Meta performed a suitable and sufficient evaluation regarding illegal content and risks posed to children. The action moves regulatory scrutiny beyond guidance into a formal enforcement process, though it does not establish that Meta broke the law. Meanwhile, Meta, TikTok, and X have challenged the watchdog over online safety data demands.

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  • ✓ Britain's communications regulator opened its first formal investigation into Meta under the Online Safety Act on Tuesday.
  • ✓ The probe examines whether Meta properly assessed risks posed by its Instagram Instants feature before launching it in May.
  • ✓ Instagram Instants allows content shared by users to disappear after being viewed.
  • ✓ Ofcom's investigation will establish whether Meta carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment of illegal content risks and risks posed to children.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 12 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Ofcom launched its first formal investigation into Meta under the Online Safety Act on Tuesday, moving from general guidance into enforcement.

Live updates

  1. UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta

    Britain's communications regulator opened its first formal investigation into Meta under the Online Safety Act on Tuesday, examining whether the company properly assessed risks before launching the Instagram Instants feature in May. The probe will establish if Meta performed a suitable and sufficient evaluation regarding illegal content and risks posed to children. The action moves regulatory scrutiny beyond guidance into a formal enforcement process, though it does not establish that Meta broke the law. Meanwhile, Meta, TikTok, and X have challenged the watchdog over online safety data demands.

    Why it matters

    The Online Safety Act creates strict duties for digital platforms operating in the United Kingdom to protect users, particularly children, from illegal and harmful content. Ofcom has previously investigated other services, but this marks the first formal probe targeting Meta under the legislation. The investigation focuses specifically on Instagram Instants, which allows shared user content to disappear after being viewed.

    What is confirmed

    • Britain's communications regulator opened its first formal investigation into Meta under the Online Safety Act on Tuesday.
    • The probe examines whether Meta properly assessed risks posed by its Instagram Instants feature before launching it in May.
    • Instagram Instants allows content shared by users to disappear after being viewed.
    • Ofcom's investigation will establish whether Meta carried out a suitable and sufficient assessment of illegal content risks and risks posed to children.
    • Meta, TikTok, and X have challenged the UK watchdog over online safety data demands.

    What to watch next

    • Ofcom findings on whether Meta conducted a sufficient risk assessment for Instagram Instants
    • Developments in the data demand challenge brought by Meta, TikTok, and X against the UK watchdog
    Sources used for this update (13)
    1. Reuters — UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta
    2. Reuters — Meta, TikTok, X challenge UK watchdog over online safety data demands
    3. BBC — Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants feature
    4. The Guardian — Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants safety checks
    5. Social Media Today — Social media platforms resist UK safety disclosures
    6. www.insurancejournal.com — UK Watchdog Opens First Online Safety Act Probe Into Meta - Insurance Journal
    7. www.globalbankingandfinance.com — UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta
    8. www.dzrh.com.ph — UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta
    9. bbc.bm — UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta | Bermuda News, TV & Radio | Bermuda Broadcasti....
    10. www.marketscreener.com — Ofcom opens first investigation into Meta under Online Safety Act | MarketScreener
    11. news.ftcpublications.com — UK regulator opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta’s ...
    12. www.channelnewsasia.com — UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta - CNA
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