Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants safety — The Guardian

British communications regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into Meta over a possible breach of the Online Safety Act following the launch of the Instants feature on Instagram. The regulator is examining whether the company carried out an adequate assessment of the risks that the product could display illegal content or be accessible to children, The Guardian reports.

What Ofcom is examining

Instagram Instants allows users to send images that disappear after being viewed. The Online Safety Act requires social networks to assess risks before making significant changes to the design or operation of their services.

For breaches of the law’s requirements, companies may receive an official warning or a fine of up to 10% of global revenue. Ofcom’s director of enforcement, George Lusty, said risk assessment is an important step in protecting platform users and that safety must be built into services from the outset.

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Meta’s position

Meta said it conducted a risk analysis before launching Instants and communicated with Ofcom several times. The company also said the feature prevents images from being forwarded and includes all the safeguards provided for in teen account settings. This mode is standard for users under 18 on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.

A Meta spokesperson said the company would cooperate with Ofcom during the investigation. The Molly Rose Foundation, a charity established by the family of Molly Russell, said Meta should be held accountable for what it considers to be a breach of the Online Safety Act.

Ofcom is already separately examining whether Meta breached the law by failing to comply with the regulator’s request for information related to WhatsApp. The company is also challenging in court Ofcom’s procedure for collecting fees to cover operating costs and Meta’s classification in a new category of platforms with additional obligations. Along with TikTok and X, Meta is also challenging the scope of information that Ofcom requires to be provided under the UK’s new online safety regime.