The UK regulator is probing whether Meta failed to conduct mandatory risk assessments before launching the Instagram 'Instants' feature.
Key facts
- •The Instagram 'Instants' feature allows users to share images that disappear after being viewed.
- •Ofcom is investigating whether Meta failed to conduct a 'suitable and sufficient' illegal content and children's risk assessment.
- •Breaching the Online Safety Act can result in penalties ranging from formal warnings to fines of up to 10% of global revenue.
- •Meta claims it briefed Ofcom about the feature on several occasions before its May launch.
- •The Molly Rose Foundation, a charity focused on online safety, stated it is crucial that Meta be held accountable for potential failures.
The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has launched an investigation into Meta regarding the launch of its Instagram "Instants" feature. The probe examines whether the company breached the Online Safety Act (OSA) by failing to perform adequate risk assessments concerning illegal content and child safety before releasing the tool in May. Meta maintains that it conducted a risk analysis and engaged with the regulator multiple times prior to the launch.
By the numbers
Regulatory Requirements and Investigation Scope
Under the UK's Online Safety Act, technology platforms are required to perform and update risk assessments before introducing significant changes to their services. These assessments must demonstrate how platforms prevent children from encountering harmful material, including content related to self-harm, suicide, pornography, and bullying. Ofcom's enforcement director, George Lusty, stated that companies must prioritize safety by design, comparing the requirement to the testing standards expected in the automotive industry.
Meta's Response and Ongoing Legal Challenges
A Meta spokesperson stated that the company takes its regulatory obligations seriously and will cooperate with the investigation. The company noted that the Instants feature includes protections such as blocking image forwarding and adheres to existing safeguards under its teen account settings. Meta is currently involved in other legal challenges against Ofcom, including disputes over operating fees and the classification of its services under the OSA.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Technology, Guardian Technology.
