Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants safety checks

By Dan Milmo Global technology editor · The Guardian Technology · Tuesday, 6 October 2026 at 10:15 (2h ago) · Original article ↗

Watchdog examining whether company carried out adequate risk assessment as required by Online Safety Act

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is under investigation for a potential breach of the UK’s digital safety laws after launching a Snapchat-style feature on Instagram.

The UK’s communications watchdog, Ofcom, is investigating whether the $1.9tn (£1.4tn) company infringed the Online Safety Act (OSA) by failing to carry out adequate checks on whether its Instagram Instants product could show illegal content or be accessed by children.

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Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants feature

The regulator said Instagram had not fully assessed risks posed by its Instants feature prior to launching it.

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Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants safety checks

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Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants feature