The UK watchdog has implemented new requirements for social media platforms, which Meta, TikTok, and X argue create unnecessary burdens.
Meta, TikTok, and X have lost a legal challenge brought against Ofcom over its new social media requirements.
The UK’s communications regulator introduced stricter standards for social media platforms under the Online Safety Act in 2023, which is aimed at protecting children from illegal and harmful content. The new regulations have been rolled out in phases, due to come into full effect by the end of 2027.
Under the new rules, Ofcom has the power to fine non-compliant platfors up to £18m or 10% of their qualifying global annual turnover, whichever is higher.
In February, the watchdog notified the tech companies they would be required to provide detailed content moderation metrics, including information on the number of removed posts, or those with visibility restricted, and how many users were exposed to harmful content.
Meta, TikTok, and X jointly challenged Ofcome. The trio argued the notices created unprecedented regulatory burdens, with one witness statement describing it as “the most burdensome information request X has received from any regulator in any jurisdiction”, Reuters reported.
Ofcom maintained the data is genuinely needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act, and it had already narrowed the scope of information it required.
London’s High Court rules in Ofcom’s favour and refused to quash the notices sent to the tech giants. Lord Justice Singh and Justice Collins Rice said in their ruling the claims lacked “sufficient factual substance” and Ofcom’s powers serve a distinct regulatory purpose in gathering relevant information.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We welcome the High Court’s decision to dismiss the challenges brought by Meta, X and Tiktok against our efforts to gather information from them.
“Under the Online Safety Act, parliament has charged us with the job of regulating an industry that’s been unaccountable for more than 20 years.
“Gathering information from companies is fundamental to our ability to do our job of assessing compliance with their duties, and we’ll continue to use our powers to create a safer life online for people in the UK.”
Affiliate Leaders has approached Meta, TikTok and X for comments.
A separate legal challenge has been brought forward by Meta regarding how fees and penalties are calculated.
So far in 2026, legal challenges relating to online safety have seen Meta settle for $16bn in a social media addiction case, and the company faces as much as $1.4trn in fines or settlements in mental health lawsuits across the globe.
