Overview
- Meta, which filed the High Court challenge on Thursday, is contesting Ofcom’s use of “qualifying worldwide revenue” (global takings) to set annual fees and potential fines under the Online Safety Act.
- Meta also disputes Ofcom’s joint-liability rule that can aggregate revenue across sister services, arguing fines should not be based on the whole group’s global income when only one app is at issue.
- Ofcom says the law supports using qualifying worldwide revenue and it will defend the policy, calling Meta’s objection to paying fees and potential penalties disappointing.
- The hearing is set for October 2026, and Ofcom plans to issue invoices in the third quarter, most likely September, with refunds possible if Meta wins.
- The 2023 law lets Ofcom fine up to 10% of a company’s qualifying global revenue and requires it to recover enforcement costs through provider fees, a model trade group CCIA backs Meta in challenging and Epic Games may seek to join.