Meta challenges UK online safety watchdog over how fees and fines are calculated

LONDON, Oct 13 : Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has taken legal action against Britain's media watchdog, Ofcom, over how it calculates fees and potential fines under the Online Safety Act. The 2023 legislation allows Ofcom to impose fines of up to 10% of a company's worldwide revenue, or £18 million ($23.9 million), whichever is greater.

Meta's challenge stems from Ofcom's investigation into the company's Instagram Instants feature, launched in May. The dispute centers around Ofcom's use of worldwide revenue instead of UK revenue to determine fees and maximum fines. Meta claims the regulator exceeded its powers by defining qualifying revenue as broadly as possible, aiming to impose the highest possible penalties.