UK · EWHCCourt order
Meta, X and TikTok lose High Court challenge to Ofcom online safety data demands
The High Court has dismissed challenges by Meta, X and TikTok to Ofcom information notices issued under the Online Safety Act 2023, in the first judicial test of the regulator's data-gathering powers. Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Collins Rice refused to quash the notices, rejecting arguments that they were irrational and disproportionate. The platforms must now hand over data on content moderation, including material seen by children.
Order (The Independent) → · The Lawyer
Key points
- The ruling is the first court test of Ofcom's power to demand information under the Online Safety Act 2023.The IndependentThe Lawyer
- Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Collins Rice refused to quash the information notices.The Independent
- The judges said the companies had not adequately explained why the notices were onerous and rejected irrationality arguments.The Independent
- The platforms must provide data on user activity by age group, moderation volumes and children's exposure to actioned content.The Independent
- Ofcom says the data will inform reviews of its codes of practice.The Independent