Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants safety checks

UK regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into whether Meta breached the Online Safety Act by failing to carry out adequate risk assessments before launching Instagram's Instants feature.

• Ofcom is examining whether Meta failed to conduct suitable illegal content and children's risk assessments before launching Instagram Instants in May.
• The feature allows users to send images that disappear after viewing and carries protections including blocked forwarding and teen account safeguards.
• Ofcom enforcement director George Lusty said significant changes to platforms must be risk-assessed before launch to protect users.
• Meta said it conducted a risk analysis and briefed Ofcom on several occasions before launching, and will cooperate with the investigation.