Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into whether Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) complied with UK online safety requirements before launching the Instagram Instants feature in May.
Instants allows content shared by Instagram users to disappear after it has been viewed.
Ofcom said the investigation will examine whether Meta conducted “suitable and sufficient” assessments of the risk of illegal content associated with the feature and any potential risks to children before its launch.
The opening of an investigation does not establish that Meta breached UK online safety laws. Ofcom will determine whether the company’s assessments met the applicable requirements.
Ofcom Examines Pre-Launch Risk Assessment
Ofcom’s investigation focuses on the risk-assessment process Meta used before introducing Instants.
George Lusty, Ofcom’s director of enforcement, said: “Our online safety laws are clear – significant changes to platforms must be risk assessed before they’re launched.”
Lusty also said safety measures should be incorporated during the design process rather than introduced afterwards.
“Today’s investigation shows we’ll take action where we have concerns that providers are failing to comply,” he added.
The supplied material does not include a response from Meta to Ofcom’s investigation.
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