Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has launched a legal challenge against the UK media regulator Ofcom over its classification of WhatsApp and Instagram under the Online Safety Act.
Lawyers for Meta served notice during the week of an appeal against Ofcom’s decision to place the two services in a category that subjects them to additional regulatory duties under the law. The company is contesting the regulator’s move through the UK legal system.
The action is the latest in a series of legal moves by social media companies, which critics say are using court challenges to slow down the implementation of the Online Safety Act. Supporters of the law say Ofcom’s designations are necessary to ensure platforms take stronger steps to tackle harmful content and protect users.
Ofcom’s role under the act includes determining which services should face expanded obligations and enforcing compliance. Meta’s appeal will test the regulator’s approach to categorisation and the scope of duties platforms must meet under the new regime.
The dispute underscores the tensions between major tech firms and UK authorities over how the Online Safety Act should be applied in practice. As legal proceedings unfold, the timing and outcome of such appeals are likely to influence how quickly the regulator can roll out its requirements and how social media companies adapt their operations in the UK.