Ofcom opens investigation into Meta over Instagram Instants risk checks

Ofcom has opened a formal investigation into Meta over Instagram’s Instants feature, the UK regulator said on Tuesday . It will check whether Meta broke the Online Safety Act by failing to assess the feature’s risks before launch.

Meta launched Instants in May. The feature lets Instagram users share posts that vanish after they’re seen.

Ofcom will consider two assessments required by law. The first covers the risk of illegal content on Instants. The second covers the risks to children, and Ofcom wants to know whether Meta completed both properly before the feature went live.

Under the Act, platforms must update their risk checks before any significant change to how their service works. Earlier this year, Ofcom warned the largest platforms that skipping that step could lead to enforcement.

“Our online safety laws are clear, significant changes to platforms must be risk assessed before they’re launched,” said George Lusty, Ofcom’s director of enforcement.

Lusty compared the duty to testing a new car before it goes on sale. He said safety had to be built into a product from the start, and that the regulator would act where it had doubts about compliance.

Ofcom will first gather and study evidence. If it finds a likely breach, it will issue a provisional decision, and Meta can respond in full before a final ruling.

A breach finding would allow Ofcom to order Meta to comply with the law or to put right any harm caused. It could also fine the company up to £18m or 10% of its qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

Meta, for its part, told Reuters that it takes its duties under the Act seriously. The company said it carried out a risk review, briefed Ofcom about Instants several times before launch, and will cooperate.

It also said Instants blocks screenshots, resharing and forwarding, has no public feed, and turns on its Teen Account protections by default.

Separately, Meta has brought a case against Ofcom over parts of the Act, including its information demands and fees.

Instagram also faces pressure over young users in the US. In Tennessee, the state has told a jury that Meta knew Instagram harmed teens .