Meta Faces First Ofcom Probe Under Online Safety Act Over Instagram Instants
Ofcom just opened its first formal investigation under the Online Safety Act — and it's targeting Meta's product launch process, not just content moderation.
Why it matters
UK regulators are now probing whether tech companies assessed safety risks BEFORE product launches, shifting enforcement from reactive moderation to pre-deployment accountability. This sets a precedent for how AI features will be regulated in the EU and UK market.
The key facts
10 to knowOfcom formal probe opened under UK Online Safety Act
Investigation targets Meta's Instagram Instants launch and safety risk assessment process
First Ofcom investigation under Online Safety Act framework
Focus on pre-launch risk assessment compliance, not just post-launch moderation
Published October 7, 2026
Ofcom opened formal probe into Meta under UK Online Safety Act
Instagram Instants is the subject feature under investigation
Investigation focuses on pre-launch safety risk assessment compliance
First Ofcom enforcement action under Online Safety Act framework
Date: October 7, 2026
The story so far
Earlier coverage of this storyline
- Meta, TikTok and X Take Ofcom to Court Over Online Safety Data DemandsTechRepublic
- This story
Go to the source
TechRepublictechrepublic.com
Publisher excerpt: Ofcom has opened a formal probe into whether Meta properly assessed safety risks before launching Instagram Instants under the UK Online Safety Act.