London – In a rare legal showdown, Meta, TikTok and X are challenging the UK communications regulator Ofcom over the scope of information it is seeking under the 2023 Online Safety Act. The companies argue that the regulator’s request for granular data on content removal, visibility restrictions and user exposure to harmful material creates an unprecedented regulatory burden.

Regulatory background

The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, imposes tougher standards on platforms to protect children from illegal and harmful content. Ofcom, tasked with enforcing the law, can levy fines of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover for the most serious breaches.

Companies’ objections

In February, Ofcom issued information notices to the three firms, asking for detailed moderation metrics. X described the request in a witness statement as “the most burdensome information request X has received from any regulator in any jurisdiction.” Meta’s court filings say Ofcom wants “wide‑ranging and granular information” about seven of its services without a clearly defined regulatory purpose. TikTok added that Ofcom bypassed an alternative monitoring regime that included specific safeguards.

Ofcom’s response

Ofcom defended the request, saying the data is essential to assess whether the new regime is working. The regulator noted it has narrowed the scope of required information before implementation and emphasized its statutory duty to regulate an industry that has been “unregulated and unaccountable for more than 20 years.”

Next steps

The hearing is set to conclude on Wednesday, with a separate legal challenge from Meta over fee and penalty calculations expected next week.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.