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META CHALLENGES UK REGULATOR'S FINE CALCULATION METHOD

SECURITY DESK1 MIN READ
FRI, MAY 8, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 2 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

Meta has sued Ofcom over how the UK media regulator calculates fines for Online Safety Act breaches, arguing that penalties should not be based on global revenue.

The Facebook and Instagram parent company filed legal proceedings against Ofcom's enforcement methodology, claiming it is fundamentally flawed. Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can impose fines up to 10% of a company's annual turnover for violations. Meta's core objection centers on Ofcom's use of global revenue figures to calculate penalties. The company argues this approach is disproportionate and unfairly penalizes tech firms with international operations. Ofcom introduced its fine regime as part of broader enforcement powers granted under the Online Safety Act, landmark legislation designed to regulate how platforms handle harmful content. The regulator has signaled it will pursue significant enforcement actions against major social media companies. This legal challenge marks a significant test of how UK digital safety regulations will be enforced against major technology companies. The outcome could reshape how fines are calculated across the industry.

■ SOURCES

The Guardian — TechnologyEngadget

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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