Ofcom said it is examining whether Meta conducted a “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment of Instagram’s Instants feature before launch. Meta responded that it carried out a risk analysis and briefed Ofcom before the feature went live, and pointed to built-in protections: Instants blocks screenshots, reshares and forwarding of the disappearing content.
The penalties give the probe teeth. Ofcom can fine up to 18 million pounds or 10 percent of qualifying worldwide revenue, a scale that makes this the most consequential UK enforcement action against Meta to date.
The investigation escalates an already adversarial relationship. Meta is separately challenging Ofcom information notices alongside TikTok and X, with that hearing concluding October 7, as noted in the October 5 edition. The Instants probe moves the confrontation from procedural challenges to a formal investigation with potential fines. Meta shares slipped 0.16 percent to $740.75 ($1.89 trillion market cap) on Tuesday morning.