Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Ofcom Probes Meta Over Instagram Instants Safety Checks
Ofcom is the UK regulator that checks whether companies follow online safety rules.
It is investigating Meta’s Instagram Instants feature.
Instants lets people share content that disappears after it is viewed.
Ofcom wants to know whether Meta checked for illegal-content and child-safety risks before the feature launched in May.
Ofcom says important platform changes should be checked for risks before release.
Meta says it assessed the risks and spoke with Ofcom before launch.
Meta also says Instants blocks screenshots, reshares and forwarding, has no public feed, and automatically uses Teen Account protections.
Meta says it will cooperate with the investigation.
If a company breaks the rules, it can face a large fine.
Ofcom opened a formal investigation into whether Meta properly assessed risks before launching Instagram Instants in May.
The investigation examines risks of illegal content and potential risks to children.
Ofcom says significant platform changes must be risk-assessed before launch, with safety built in from the start.
Meta says it conducted a risk analysis, briefed Ofcom before launch, and will cooperate with the investigation.
Meta cites safeguards including blocking screenshots, reshares and forwarding, no public feed, and automatic Teen Account protections; penalties can reach £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue.
- Who
- Ofcom is investigating Meta Platforms over Instagram Instants.
- What
- The investigation will assess whether Meta’s pre-launch risk assessment was suitable and sufficient, including for illegal content and risks to children.
- When
- Ofcom announced the investigation on Tuesday, October 6; Instants launched in May. The articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- The investigation concerns compliance with the UK Online Safety Act.
- Why
- Ofcom is examining whether Meta properly assessed risks before launching a significant platform feature.
Ofcom's concerns
Meta's response
Pre-launch risk assessment
Ofcom's concerns
Ofcom is investigating whether Meta's assessment of illegal-content and child-safety risks was suitable and sufficient before launch.
Meta's response
Meta says it conducted a risk analysis and briefed Ofcom about Instants several times before launch.
Safety measures
Ofcom's concerns
Ofcom says significant platform changes must be risk-assessed before launch and safety should be built in from the outset.
Meta's response
Meta says Instants has built-in protections, including blocking screenshots, reshares and forwarding, no public feed, and automatic Teen Account protections.
- Regulator
- Ofcom, Britain's communications regulator.
- Company
- Meta Platforms.
- Feature
- Instagram Instants shares content that disappears after being viewed.
- Launch
- May; the articles do not specify the year.
- Investigation focus
- Whether Meta adequately assessed the risks of illegal content and potential risks to children before launch.
- Meta's stated safeguards
- Blocking screenshots, reshares and forwarding; no public feed; Teen Account protections enabled automatically.
- Maximum stated fine
- Up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.
- Meta's response
- Meta says it conducted a risk analysis, briefed Ofcom several times before launch, and will cooperate.
Sources
UK Probes Meta Over Risk Assessment Of Instagram Instants
UK Regulator Probes Meta's Instagram Instants, 1st Under Online Safety Act
UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta
Meta faces UK probe over Instagram Instants, Ofcom questions safety checks before launch
UK watchdog opens first Online Safety Act probe into Meta
