Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants feature

UK communications regulator Ofcom is investigating whether Meta breached its duties under the Online Safety Act (OSA) when it launched Instagram’s Instants feature in May. The feature lets users share images with selected friends that disappear after being viewed.

Ofcom said Meta may not have completed suitable and sufficient assessments of illegal-content risks and risks to children before launch. The investigation will examine whether the company met its legal duties. The regulator said platforms must assess risks before significant changes go live and must take steps to address illegal content and prevent children from encountering harmful material.

A Meta spokesperson said the company takes its obligations under the OSA seriously, had conducted a risk analysis, and had briefed Ofcom about Instants on several occasions before launch. Meta said it would cooperate with the investigation.

Meta says Instants includes protections for younger users with Teen Accounts, including measures to prevent screenshots, reshares, and forwarding. Ofcom enforcement director George Lusty said the investigation reflects the regulator’s concerns about whether providers are complying with the law.

The probe comes as Meta, TikTok, and X challenge aspects of Ofcom’s enforcement of the OSA through judicial review. The companies have argued in court this week that they should not have to provide as much information in response to the regulator’s formal requests.