Social Media Today · October 5, 2026
As U.K. regulators move to implement new regulations designed to keep social media users safe, they’re now facing pushback from the major social platforms. The app companies are arguing that the proposed updates to th…
As U.K. regulators move to implement new regulations designed to keep social media users safe, they’re now facing pushback from the major social platforms. The app companies are arguing that the proposed updates to the U.K. Online Safety Act would be too difficult to adhere to.
The U.K.’s digital regulator, Ofcom, is developing a range of sweeping proposals that would offer more protections for U.K. internet users. These will include new rules on hate speech and CSAM material, usage restrictions for teens and new livestreaming rules.
At the same time, the proposed changes would also put more onus on social platforms to take action. For example, in May Ofcom proposed a new requirement that would force platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery within 48 hours, along with new rules on “cyberflashing.” U.K. regulators are also seeking more power to set rules over the use of generative artificial intelligence.
The penalties for violations could reach up to 10% of a company’s global intake.
According to Reuters, Meta, TikTok and X are now challenging these proposals, with a particular focus on the amount of proprietary data that they’re being asked to share under the new approach.
As per Reuters: “In February, [Ofcom] issued information notices requesting detailed content moderation metrics from the tech companies, including data on how many posts were removed or had visibility restricted, and how many users were exposed to harmful content. But Meta, TikTok and X say the notices create unprecedented regulatory burdens, with one witness statement submitted by X describing it as ‘the most burdensome information request X has received from any regulator in any jurisdiction.’”
What’s interesting here is that all of the major platforms already provide this info in the EU under the Digital Services Act.
The DSA has created a more complex regulatory environment for all impacted platforms and providers. Since they already share this information, it’s somewhat surprising that these three companies are pushing back in the U.K.
But according to Meta, what Ofcom is asking for goes beyond the disclosures required by EU regulations, and reaches into more granular, wide-ranging insights.
Ofcom argued that it needs this expanded info to ensure that its approaches are having the intended impacts. However, the platforms said there’s no logical regulatory reason why Ofcom would need such expansive data.
The new regulations are designed to impose significant burdens on social platforms operating in the U.K., and could have an impact on usage.
Ofcom has been gradually implementing changes, and hopes to have the majority of these updates approved before the end of the year.
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Original source: Social Media Today
Source: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/social-media-platforms-resist-uk-safety-disclosures/832199
