Ofcom probes Meta’s risk checks before Instagram Instants launch
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Ofcom has launched an investigation into Meta over whether it breached UK online safety laws when launching Instagram's Instants feature without conducting proper risk assessments. The feature, introduced in May, allows users to share images that disappear after viewing, and Ofcom says Meta failed to adequately evaluate the risks to users, particularly children. The probe reflects regulators' determination to enforce the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to assess risks before introducing significant changes.
Instants enables users to share spontaneous photos with close friends or selected followers, with automatic deletion after viewing—a capability similar to tools offered by Snapchat and WhatsApp. Meta contends it conducted a risk analysis and briefed Ofcom multiple times before launch, and notes the feature includes protections for younger users with Teen Accounts, such as preventing screenshots and resharing. Ofcom's enforcement director emphasised that platforms must properly test changes before release, comparing it to safety testing for new cars.
- Ofcom probes Meta for launching Instants without risk assessments.
- Feature shares disappearing photos, similar to Snapchat and WhatsApp.
- Meta maintains it briefed Ofcom before launch; investigation examines OSA compliance.
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Meta, which owns Instagram, launched Instants in May 2026. The feature lets users share images with selected friends that disappear after viewing. The platform includes protections for Teen Accounts, though disappearing content makes content moderation more difficult.
The UK's Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to conduct risk assessments before introducing significant changes to their services. Ofcom is the UK regulator responsible for enforcing this law. These assessments must identify potential harms, particularly risks to children from illegal or harmful content.
Disappearing images are regarded as a potential risk for younger users because such material is harder to detect, remove and retain as evidence. When content vanishes, it cannot be recovered by users or moderation teams if there are concerns about harm. This is why regulators consider it important that platforms conduct thorough risk assessments before launching such features.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The regulatory case holds that UK law specifically mandates thorough risk assessments before launching significant platform changes, with children's safety as a paramount concern. Since disappearing content presents genuine challenges for content moderation and creates potential vectors for harmful material to be shared without permanent record, Ofcom's investigation reflects the reasonable position that Meta should have conducted and properly disclosed rigorous pre-launch analysis demonstrating that protections were adequate before introducing the feature.
The case against
Meta's position has merit: the company states it completed a proper analysis and proactively briefed regulators, which indicates good-faith compliance efforts. The Instants feature includes specific protections for younger users, and similar ephemeral messaging capabilities exist across the industry without causing systematic harm. A proportionate regulatory approach should permit reasonable innovation whilst companies demonstrate reasonable safety measures, rather than requiring pre-approval that might chill beneficial product development.
Full account
The UK's communications regulator has launched a formal enquiry into Meta's handling of its latest Instagram feature, with officials questioning whether the tech giant fulfilled its legal obligations under the nation's digital safety framework. The investigation centres on Instagram Instants, a recently introduced tool that permits users to quickly capture and distribute photographs to selected contacts, with the images automatically removing themselves following viewing.
Meta deployed Instants on its photo-sharing platform in May, positioning it as a modern method for spontaneous image-sharing among users. The feature permits sharing either with individuals designated as 'close friends' or with reciprocal followers. However, Ofcom has raised concerns that the company neglected to conduct appropriate risk assessments before making this substantial modification to the platform, a requirement stipulated under the Online Safety Act.
Meta contests these allegations, asserting that it performed thorough analysis of the Instants feature and maintained regular communication with regulators prior to deployment. The company further states that the tool incorporates multiple protective measures, particularly for younger users participating in its Teen Accounts programme, which prevent screenshot capture, content redistribution and forwarding. Nevertheless, Ofcom's enforcement leadership emphasised that comprehensive evaluation must occur before systems launch, drawing a parallel to vehicle safety testing procedures.
The investigation will specifically examine whether Meta fulfilled its obligations regarding assessment of content illegality and potential risks affecting children. The Online Safety Act mandates that platforms evaluate how their services might expose younger users to material classified as harmful, encompassing pornography, content encouraging self-injury or suicide, as well as abusive, hateful and bullying material. Non-compliance could result in formal warnings or financial penalties reaching ten per cent of global annual revenue.
The Ofcom inquiry forms part of a wider regulatory confrontation between Meta and authorities. The charity established by relatives of Molly Russell—a young person whose death followed exposure to damaging content on Instagram—has stressed the importance of holding the organisation accountable for breaches of the Online Safety Act. Concurrently, Meta confronts separate investigations regarding its WhatsApp operations and is pursuing court actions against Ofcom regarding regulatory fees and its categorisation under the new framework, whilst co-ordinating with rivals TikTok and X against information-gathering demands.
Where outlets differ
Source 2 emphasises financial consequences and potential penalties (up to 10% of global revenue); Source 1 does not specify financial sanctions
Source 2 prominently references the Molly Rose Foundation and the case of Molly Russell; Source 1 omits this entirely
Source 2 provides extensive detail on Meta's broader legal disputes with Ofcom; Source 1 only alludes to tensions in its final, incomplete sentence
Source 2 includes Meta's company valuation (£1.4tn/$1.9tn); Source 1 does not
Source 1 emphasises 'safety by design' philosophy more prominently; Source 2 frames enforcement within regulatory breach severity
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Originally published by BBC Technology as “Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants feature”.