Meta challenges Ofcom fees in UK High Court

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is challenging Ofcom in the High Court over fees and potential penalties under the Online Safety Act. At a preliminary hearing in London on May 7, 2026, Epic Games and the Computer and Communications Industry Association were expected to seek permission to intervene. Mr Justice Chamberlain said the dispute raises issues 'of wide public importance' and confirmed the next hearing would take place in June. The Act allows fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18m, whichever is greater; Meta questions how penalties are calculated when multiple companies under the same parent are jointly liable. Monica Carss-Frisk KC described Ofcom's approach as troubling and said it would place most costs on a small number of large firms.

Under regulations introduced in September 2025, the fees are based on a company's qualifying worldwide revenue and apply to firms earning more than £250m a year.

Wikipedia lost its legal challenge against the Online Safety Act in August 2025.

The Online Safety Act came into force in July 2025, introducing protections against harmful online content and funding for Ofcom's online safety work carried out by tech firms.