Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is challenging the UK media regulator Ofcom over fees and potential fines linked to the country’s Online Safety Act. The High Court is scheduled to hear the case on Tuesday.

Meta argues that Ofcom acted unlawfully when defining “qualifying worldwide revenue,” a measure used to calculate fees under the legislation.

The Online Safety Act introduced protections against harmful online content. Ofcom funds its online safety work through fees charged to technology companies covered by the rules.

Meta Questions Ofcom’s Fee Calculations

Regulations introduced in September 2025 base the fees on qualifying worldwide revenue. According to the supplied report, the rules apply to companies earning more than £250 million annually.

Meta argues that Ofcom’s calculation method is disproportionate and unlawful. The regulator, however, has said it will “robustly defend” its position.

The BBC reported in May that lawyers representing Meta had argued that Ofcom should reconsider the regulations.

Monica Carss-Frisk KC, representing Meta, described Ofcom’s approach as “troubling” in court documents. She argued that the method could leave a small number of companies paying most of the regulator’s costs, despite the law covering a broad range of internet services.

Online Safety Act Allows Significant Fines

The Online Safety Act also gives Ofcom the power to impose substantial penalties on companies that breach safety rules.

Under the legislation, firms can face fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever amount is greater.

The dispute comes as Ofcom faces legal challenges over its efforts to enforce the legislation and collect information from online services.

Ofcom Faces Wider Legal Challenges

Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom’s group director for online safety, told a House of Lords committee earlier this year that the regulator was “operating in a highly litigious environment.”

He referred to two legal actions involving Meta and other judicial reviews brought by online services over the regulator’s attempts to collect data.

“We absolutely are looking to drive change in the best way we can,” Griffiths told peers during the committee’s evidence session on the Online Safety Act.

The High Court challenge will examine Meta’s objections to Ofcom’s approach to calculating the fees. The supplied report does not state when the court is expected to deliver its decision.