UK Regulator Opens First Online Safety Act Investigation Into Meta Over Instagram’s Instants Feature
Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, opened a formal investigation into Meta on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, examining whether the technology company breached the U.K. Online Safety Act. The probe focuses on Instagram’s "Instants" feature and whether Meta conducted adequate pre-launch risk assessments regarding illegal content and the protection of children.
The regulatory action marks the first time Ofcom has launched a formal Online Safety Act investigation into Meta. The inquiry centers on the statutory requirement for major online platforms to thoroughly evaluate potential risks before deploying significant product updates or new features to the public.
Ofcom enforcement director George Lusty emphasized that the legislation explicitly mandates major platform changes to undergo risk assessments prior to launch. The regulator will now gather and analyze evidence to determine whether Meta fulfilled its legal obligations under the framework.
Instagram’s Instants feature, which was introduced in May 2026, allows users to share photos and videos that disappear automatically after being viewed. Ofcom is scrutinizing whether the initial safety evaluations adequately accounted for how disappearing media could be utilized to distribute illegal material or expose younger users to potential harms.
In response to the investigation, Meta defended its rollout process, stating that it had conducted a comprehensive risk analysis and briefed Ofcom multiple times prior to releasing Instants. The company maintained that the feature incorporates specific built-in safeguards, such as blocking screenshots, reshares, and forwarding functions. Additionally, Meta noted that Instants lacks a public feed and automatically applies Instagram's strict Teen Account protections.
Under the terms of the Online Safety Act, Ofcom possesses broad enforcement powers. Should the regulator establish that a breach occurred, it holds the authority to mandate corrective operational measures. Furthermore, Ofcom can issue financial penalties reaching up to £18 million or 10 percent of a company's qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever figure is higher.
The investigation is expected to continue over the coming weeks as Ofcom reviews documentation from both the regulator's oversight teams and Meta's compliance division to determine the final outcome of the probe.
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