Meta, Tik. Tok, X lose legal challenge against UK watchdog over online safety data demands

Meta, which is ​also challenging Ofcom over the categorisation of Whats. App in the new regime, was made the subject of Ofcom's firstformal investigationunder the Online Safety Act earlier this month. X did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ​Tik.

Tok said it is considering the judgment, while a spokesperson for Meta said in a ​statement: "We're disappointed with the court's decision, but we and others across industry pursued this challenge because information-gathering of ‌this ⁠scale goes beyond what is necessary or proportionate.

"Ofcom requested metrices from Meta, Tiktok, XOfcom 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. Read More:Tik.

Tok removes 23.2m videos in Pakistan in Q2The ​regulator issued information notices ​to Meta, Tik. Tok ⁠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, Tik. Tok 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".