Meta challenges Ofcom over safety fees, fines

Meta is challenging Ofcom in the High Court over how the UK regulator defines “qualifying worldwide revenue” to calculate online-safety fees and potential fines under the Online Safety Act. Meta argues that including revenue from services and affiliated companies with little connection to the UK activity being regulated exceeds Ofcom’s legal powers and could produce disproportionate charges or penalties. The company also disputes how revenue is counted when multiple entities in a corporate group are held jointly liable, saying the method risks double counting. Ofcom says its approach follows the law, balances the interests involved and uses worldwide revenue to set only the maximum possible fine; any actual penalty must be proportionate. The law allows fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater, and the case could shape how large technology companies fund and face enforcement under the UK regime.