Meta Challenges Ofcom in High Court Over Online Safety Act Fees

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is challenging the UK media regulator Ofcom in the High Court over fees and potential fines introduced under the Online Safety Act.

The law took effect in July 2025 and requires protections against harmful online content. Ofcom funds its online safety work through contributions from tech firms.

Regulations issued in September set fees based on a company's qualifying worldwide revenue. They apply to firms with more than £250 million in yearly earnings.

Meta called Ofcom's methods for calculating fees and penalties disproportionate. Ofcom said it would robustly defend its position.

Lawyers for Meta argue the regulations are unlawful and should be reconsidered by the regulator.

Monica Carss-Frisk KC, representing the tech giant, stated in court documents that Ofcom's approach is troubling. She said it results in 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.

Carss-Frisk also argued that the calculation of qualifying worldwide revenue was not linked specifically to earnings from UK services.

Under the Online Safety Act, companies that breach safety rules face fines of up to 10 percent of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater.

Meta also disputes how penalties are calculated when multiple companies owned by the same parent organization are found jointly liable for breaches.

At a preliminary hearing in London on Thursday, the High Court heard that Fortnite-maker Epic Games and the trade body Computer and Communications Industry Association plan to seek permission to intervene in the case.

Mr Justice Chamberlain said the dispute raised issues of wide public importance. He confirmed the next hearing would take place in June.

An Ofcom spokesperson said the regulator had based its approach on a plain reading of the law. "Disappointingly, Meta are objecting to the payment of fees, and any penalties that could be levied on companies in future, that are calculated on this basis," the spokesperson said.