Regulator Opens Investigation into Meta's UK Online Safety Compliance
What happened
Britain's regulator announced it has opened an investigation into Meta Platforms regarding its compliance with UK online safety laws. The inquiry focuses on whether the company properly assessed risks associated with the Instagram Instants feature before its launch in May. Instants allows content shared on Instagram to disappear after being viewed.
From indiatimes.com
Why it matters
The investigation centers on the Instants feature, which is a core component of the Instagram platform. Meta stated it had conducted a risk analysis and briefed the regulator about the feature prior to its launch. The outcome of the inquiry will determine the extent of any potential breaches.
The Gambling Commission had previously criticized Meta's slow response to scams. Fraudsters reportedly used the Tesco brand on Meta platforms, leading Tesco to flag impersonation with UK cyber agencies. Entain had called for stricter Ofcom enforcement.
From indiatimes.com
Who's involved
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Related events
- Nigerian tech companies are facing regulatory scrutiny, with Meta facing fines and discussing operational issues in Nigeria, while Google and Microsoft also engage with regulators.
- Ofcom monitors compliance of foreign platforms with UK law.
- DICT calls on Meta to introduce measurable safeguards, while the House of Representatives defers budget consideration due to concerns about Congressional oversight.
- The Oversight Board assessed Meta's handling of content on June 30, 2026.
- A Dutch court ruled that Meta is non-compliant with the Digital Services Act (DSA), following a challenge by a digital rights group.