Tech giants Meta, TikTok and X have lost a legal challenge against British communications regulator Ofcom over strict demands for internal moderation data under the UK’s new Online Safety Act.
London’s High Court rejected the companies' joint case on Friday. The lawsuit marks one of the first major legal tests for the 2023 law which imposes stringent standards on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X—to protect children from harmful and illegal content online.
The dispute stems from information notices Ofcom issued in February with requiring the tech firms to submit detailed content moderation metrics. These include data on the number of posts removed or restricted as well as the exact number of users exposed to harmful material.
Meta, TikTok, and X argued that the watchdog’s demands created unprecedented regulatory burdens. However, the High Court dismissed their claims, upholding Ofcom's authority to enforce transparency measures.
Ofcom has been progressively implementing the regulatory framework which carries severe enforcement mechanisms. Companies found in serious breach of the Online Safety Act face potential fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover.
Neither Ofcom nor representatives for Meta, TikTok and X immediately responded to requests for comment following the ruling.
