Meta, TikTok and X have taken legal action against Britain’s communications regulator over requests for detailed data on how the platforms manage harmful and illegal content.
The dispute centres on information notices issued by Ofcom as part of its enforcement of the UK’s Online Safety Act. The regulator is seeking data that would allow it to assess how social media platforms identify, restrict and remove harmful material and how users are exposed to such content.
The companies have raised concerns over the scale of the information being requested. X has described Ofcom’s demand as exceptionally burdensome, while Meta has challenged the breadth of information sought across several of its services.
TikTok is also contesting Ofcom’s approach, arguing that the regulator could have relied on an alternative monitoring process with additional safeguards. The company is seeking to limit the scope of the information it is required to provide.
Ofcom has defended the requests, saying detailed platform data is needed to evaluate whether the UK’s online safety framework is delivering its intended results. The regulator has also said it narrowed some of its requests after discussions with the companies.
The case illustrates the increasingly complex relationship between major technology platforms and regulators as governments seek greater oversight of online services. For social media companies, the outcome could influence how much operational and content-moderation data they are required to provide to regulators in the future.
The current hearing is expected to conclude on Wednesday. Meta is also facing a separate legal dispute with Ofcom over the regulator’s approach to calculating fees and penalties, with that case expected to be heard next week.
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