Ofcom Probes Meta Over Instagram Instants Feature
· Technology · BBC News, Reuters, The Guardian
The UK regulator Ofcom is investigating whether Meta complied with online safety laws when launching the Instagram Instants feature in May. The tool allows users to share disappearing images with close friends, but Ofcom claims Meta failed to conduct sufficient risk assessments for illegal content and child safety before the rollout. Meta maintains that it performed a risk analysis and briefed the regulator multiple times prior to the launch. Ofcom's investigation will determine if the company breached the UK's Online Safety Act, which mandates that platforms must evaluate potential harms before introducing new features.
Why it matters
This investigation tests the enforcement of the UK's Online Safety Act, setting a precedent for how global tech giants must assess and mitigate risks to children before releasing new features.
Read the original report — BBC News
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