Meta Platforms Inc.Ofcom proposes fines up to £18M or 10% of global revenue for platforms failing to tackle scam ads, directly affecting Meta's Facebook and Instagram.

Ofcom has published draft rules that would hold social media platforms and search engines legally responsible for stamping out scam adverts, with fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue once the measures take effect. The proposals, which build on the UK's Online Safety Act, set out nearly 40 measures for major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Reddit, such as banning scammers after a single strike, blocking imposters, and setting up dedicated reporting channels. A consultation runs until October 2, with final decisions expected in 2027 and requiring parliamentary approval. Ofcom estimates that fraudulent adverts cost UK victims around £200 million a year on average.
Meta Platforms Inc.Ofcom proposes fines up to £18M or 10% of global revenue for platforms failing to tackle scam ads, directly affecting Meta's Facebook and Instagram.