Ofcom, the United Kingdom’s communications watchdog, has initiated an investigation into Meta regarding potential violations of the Online Safety Act. The inquiry centers on whether the company failed to perform sufficient risk assessments before rolling out Instagram Instants, a feature that allows users to share images that disappear after being viewed.
Under UK digital safety regulations, technology platforms are required to conduct comprehensive risk assessments before introducing significant modifications to their services. The Online Safety Act provides enforcement mechanisms ranging from formal warnings to financial penalties of up to 10% of a company’s worldwide revenue for non-compliance. Ofcom’s director of enforcement emphasized the importance of these evaluations, comparing the requirement to testing a vehicle before launch and stressing that safety considerations must be fundamental to product design rather than added afterward.
Meta stated it had completed a risk analysis of Instagram Instants and engaged with Ofcom multiple times before the feature’s launch. The company highlighted that the product incorporates protective features including restrictions on forwarding and integrates safeguards available through Instagram’s teen account settings, which serve as the default configuration for users under 18. A Meta representative indicated the company would cooperate fully with Ofcom throughout the investigation process.
The Molly Rose Foundation, an organization created by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful material on Instagram, called for Meta to face accountability for noncompliance with the Online Safety Act. This investigation represents one of multiple regulatory challenges Meta currently faces, as Ofcom is separately examining potential violations related to WhatsApp. Additionally, Meta is engaged in court proceedings challenging Ofcom’s fee structure and classification of certain platforms under the digital safety framework, alongside similar legal actions by other major technology companies.
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