Meta challenges Ofcom over safety fees, fines

Meta filed a High Court judicial review against Ofcom on Oct. 13, 2026 over how “qualifying worldwide revenue” is defined for Online Safety Act fees and fines. The Act allows fines up to 10% of that revenue or £18 million ($23.9 million), whichever is greater. Ofcom wrote the QWR rules in September 2025 for firms earning over £250 million a year; multi-entity enforcement can use group revenue including non-regulated activities, while single-entity cases use only that entity’s revenue. The London hearing ran Oct. 13–14. On Oct. 6 Ofcom opened an investigation into Meta’s risk assessment of Instagram’s Instants feature, launched in May. Meta had joined TikTok and X the prior week over Ofcom’s information demands. CONTESTED: Meta says Ofcom took the broadest approach, exceeded its powers, risks double counting on joint liability, and should base fees and penalties on services regulated in the countries where they are regulated. Ofcom says Meta “is incorrect,” it “struck a careful balance,” and QWR only sets the maximum penalty while any actual fine must be proportionate. Meta said it is “committed to cooperating constructively with Ofcom”; Ofcom said it will defend challenges robustly. Ofcom’s Oliver Griffiths told a House of Lords committee on Sept. 15 the regulator is “operating in a highly litigious environment.” The court will decide if Ofcom’s method is lawful.