UK probes Meta over risk assessment of Instagram Instants

Ofcom, Britain's communications regulator, has launched an investigation into whether Meta breached UK online safety laws by failing to adequately assess risks posed by its Instagram Instants feature, which was launched in May. Instants allows content shared by users on Instagram to disappear after being viewed. Ofcom's formal investigation will determine if Meta conducted "suitable and sufficient" risk assessments, particularly concerning illegal content and potential risks to children before the feature's release.

George Lusty, Ofcom's director of enforcement, emphasized that the company must implement safety measures from the outset, stating, "Our online safety laws are clear – significant changes to platforms must be risk assessed before they’re launched." He further clarified that safety should be integrated into the design, not added as an afterthought.

Ofcom has indicated it will take action if it finds Meta is not complying with these regulations. Meta, however, maintains that it took its regulatory obligations under the Online Safety Act seriously. A spokesperson for the company stated that they conducted a risk analysis and briefed Ofcom about the feature multiple times before launching it.

Instants includes features such as blocking screenshots, reshares and forwarding, no public feed, and Teen Account protections that automatically activate. Meta reiterated its commitment to cooperate with Ofcom during the investigation. Moreover, Meta has previously challenged Ofcom over its implementation of the Online Safety Act, raising concerns about the scope of information the company must provide to the regulator and the level of fees it charges.