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Meta, TikTok, X lose legal challenge against UK watchdog over online safety data demands - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Meta, TikTok, X lose legal challenge against UK watchdog over online safety data demands

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 30, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: October 30, 2026

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Meta, TikTok, X Lose Court Fight Against UK Online Safety Data Demands

UK Online Safety Act and Legal Challenge Overview

Background of the Legal Challenge

LONDON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Meta, TikTok and X on Friday lost a legal challenge against British regulator Ofcom over the amount of information it is demanding they provide under Britain's nascent online safety regime.

The 2023 Online Safety Act

The challenge is one of the first in relation to the 2023 Online Safety Act, which sets tougher standards for platforms such as TikTok, X and Meta's Facebook and Instagram with the aim to protect children from harmful and illegal content.

Ofcom's Implementation and Enforcement

Ofcom has been gradually implementing the regime, with its requirements backed up by the threat of fines of up to 10% of a company's global turnover for the most serious breaches.

Details of Ofcom's Information Requests

Content Moderation Metrics Demanded

In February, it issued information notices requesting detailed content moderation metrics from the tech companies, including data on how many posts were removed or had visibility restricted, and how many users were exposed to harmful content.

Tech Companies' Arguments

Meta, TikTok and X argued the notices create unprecedented regulatory burdens, but their case was rejected by London's High Court.

Immediate Reactions

None of the companies, nor Ofcom, immediately responded to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James and Sam Tabahriti)

Key Takeaways

  • The High Court rejected the challenge by Meta, TikTok and X against Ofcom’s February information notices seeking granular moderation metrics, reinforcing regulator’s broad investigative powers (marketscreener.com).
  • These legal losses mark early judicial validation of the 2023 Online Safety Act’s regime, under which Ofcom can demand detailed data and impose fines up to 10 % of global turnover for serious breaches (marketscreener.com).
  • The ruling sets precedent amid broader UK scrutiny: Ofcom has also launched investigations into Meta’s Instagram Instants and TikTok’s risk‑assessment and age‑assurance compliance under the same Act (ofcom.org.uk)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the legal challenge about?
Meta, TikTok, and X challenged Ofcom's demand for extensive content moderation data under the UK's Online Safety Act.
Who won the legal challenge: tech companies or Ofcom?
Ofcom won, as London's High Court rejected the case brought by Meta, TikTok, and X.
What information did Ofcom request from the tech companies?
Ofcom requested detailed content moderation metrics, including data on post removals, visibility restrictions, and exposure to harmful content.
What penalties can companies face for non-compliance?
Companies may face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover for serious breaches.
Which law supports Ofcom's demands for data?
The demands are backed by the UK 2023 Online Safety Act.

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