Ofcom has initiated an investigation into Meta regarding its Instagram feature, Instants, to determine if the company violated the UK's Online Safety Act. The regulator claims that Meta did not adequately assess the risks associated with Instants before its launch, which is a requirement under the law.
Meta has stated that it takes its regulatory responsibilities seriously and conducted risk analyses prior to the feature's rollout. The investigation will focus on whether proper assessments of illegal content and children's safety were conducted before Instants became available to users.
Watch for Ofcom's findings on Meta's risk assessments for Instants, as this could set a precedent for how social media features are evaluated under the Online Safety Act. The outcome may influence future regulations and compliance strategies for tech companies in the UK.