Meta, TikTok, X lose legal challenge against UK watchdog over online safety data demands

Teenagers pose for a photo while holding smartphones in front of a X logo in this illustration taken September 11, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Summary Companies Ofcom requested content moderation data from Meta, TikTok, X High Court dismissed claim those requests were disproportionate X had said request would cost it millions of pounds LONDON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Meta (META.O) , opens new tab , TikTok and X lost a legal challenge against British regulator ‌Ofcom on Friday over information requests made under the Online Safety Act, in one of the first tests of Britain's nascent online safety regime.

The case is one of several brought over parts ​of the 2023 act, which sets tougher standards for platforms such as TikTok, ​X and Meta's Facebook and Instagram with the aim of protecting ⁠particularly children from harmful and illegal content. Sign up here. Friday's decision by London's High Court is a ​boost for Ofcom, though a potentially more significant ruling on Meta's separate case about how ​Ofcom calculates fees and potential fines is awaited.

Meta, which is also challenging Ofcom over the categorisation of WhatsApp in the new regime, was made the subject of Ofcom's first formal investigation under the Online ​Safety Act earlier this month. X and Meta did not immediately respond to requests ​for comment. TikTok said it is considering the judgment, without giving further details. OFCOM REQUESTED METRICS FROM META, ‌TIKTOK, ⁠X Ofcom has been gradually implementing the Online Safety Act regime, with its requirements backed up by the threat of fines of up to 10% of a company's global turnover for the most serious breaches.

The regulator issued information notices to Meta, TikTok and ​X in February, requesting ​detailed content moderation ⁠metrics including data on how many posts were removed or had visibility restricted, and how many users were exposed to harmful content. Meta, ​TikTok and X argued the notices create unprecedented regulatory burdens, ​with X ⁠claiming that what it described as "the most burdensome information request X has received from any regulator" would cost it millions of pounds.

But their case was dismissed by the High Court, ⁠which ​in its ruling rejected their arguments that the information ​requests were disproportionate. An Ofcom spokesperson welcomed the ruling, saying that "gathering information from companies is fundamental to our ​ability to do our job". Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James and Sam Tabahriti Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: Media & Telecom Data Privacy Corporate Counsel Judiciary X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights