Meta faces Ofcom investigation over Instagram Instants feature

The UK regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into Meta regarding the Instagram feature ‘Instants’, which allows users to share ephemeral photos that disappear after being viewed.

The investigation aims to determine whether the launch of this feature in May complied with the Online Safety Act. Specifically, Ofcom is examining whether Meta conducted adequate risk assessments concerning illegal content and potential risks to children prior to the deployment of the service.

A Meta spokesperson stated that the company performed risk analyses and informed Ofcom of the feature multiple times before its launch. Meta also highlighted built-in protections, such as blocking screenshots, preventing image transfers, and applying default account protection settings for teenagers. If Meta is found to have violated the law, it could face sanctions ranging from warnings to fines of up to £18 million or 10% of its global annual turnover.