Key facts
- Meta, TikTok and X challenged Ofcom's data demands under the UK's Online Safety Act.
- The High Court rejected the companies' legal challenge.
- Ofcom is implementing the Online Safety Act, which aims to protect children from harmful content.
- Fines of up to 10% of global turnover can be imposed for serious breaches.
Meta, TikTok and X lost a legal challenge on Friday against British regulator Ofcom over the amount of information the watchdog is demanding under the country's Online Safety Act. The High Court rejected the social media companies' argument that Ofcom's information notices, issued in February, created unprecedented regulatory burdens. The Online Safety Act aims to protect children from harmful and illegal content, with Ofcom empowered to issue fines of up to 10% of a company's global turnover for serious breaches.