"Monica Carss-Frisk KC, for the tech giant, has said in court documents that Ofcom's approach is "troubling" and leads to "a handful of companies, such as Meta, bearing the vast majority of Ofcom's costs, despite the act making clear that it is concerned with a wide range of internet services offered in the UK"."
"Under the Online Safety Act, companies found to have breached safety rules can face fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or 18m, whichever is greater. Meta is also disputing how penalties are calculated when multiple companies owned by the same parent organisation are found jointly liable for breaches."
Meta is pursuing legal action against Ofcom in the High Court over fees and potential fines under the UK's Online Safety Act, which took effect in July 2025. The law establishes protections against harmful online content, with Ofcom's operating costs funded by tech companies through fees based on qualifying worldwide revenue for firms earning over £250 million annually. Meta contends that Ofcom's fee calculation and penalty methods are disproportionate and unlawful. The company argues that the regulations unfairly concentrate costs on a handful of large companies despite the act addressing a wide range of internet services. Meta also disputes how penalties are calculated when multiple subsidiaries face joint liability. Potential fines reach up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater.
Read at www.bbc.com
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