Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is under investigation by the UK communications watchdog, Ofcom, for a potential breach of the country’s digital safety laws following the launch of a Snapchat-style feature on Instagram. The inquiry focuses on whether the $1.9 trillion (£1.4 trillion) company adequately assessed the risks associated with its Instagram Instants product, particularly regarding the potential display of illegal content and access by children.
Background
Social media companies are mandated to conduct risk assessments before implementing significant changes to their service design or operations. A breach of the Online Safety Act (OSA) could result in various penalties, including formal warnings or fines of up to 10% of global revenue.
George Lusty, the director of enforcement at Ofcom, emphasized the importance of risk assessments in ensuring user safety on tech platforms. He stated:
“"You wouldn’t launch a new car without testing it properly, and it’s the same for online services. Safety by design must be built in, not bolted on, and today’s investigation shows we’ll take action where we have concerns that providers are failing to comply."
