Ofcom investigates Meta over Instagram Instants safety checks
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Watchdog examining whether company carried out adequate risk assessment as required by Online Safety Act Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is under investigation for a potential breach of the UK’s digital safety laws after launching a Snapchat-style feature on Instagram. The communications watchdog, Ofcom, is
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A high-tech conference room with multiple screens showing social media analytics and a large table filled with laptops and smartphones, where a team of young developers in casual wear and suits are intensely discussing safety protocols and risk assessments.
Caption: When 'inadequate' means 'we forgot to check if it was safe to launch'}
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Based on the original story on theguardian.com.
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Panel 1
*Setting: A brightly lit conference room at Meta HQ. The room is filled with monitors and whiteboards covered in diagrams. A team of developers and a stern-looking compliance officer are gathered around a table. One developer holds up a tablet showing a mock-up of the feature.* *Developer:* *Compliance Officer:*
Setting: Instagram Instants
Developer: So, this is our latest Snapchat clone!
Compliance Officer: Wait, we’re legally required to check for safety risks before launching, right?
Panel 2
*Setting: The same conference room, but the team is more visibly flustered. Papers are scattered everywhere, and a large checklist is pinned to the whiteboard. The compliance officer is seen frantically checking items on a clipboard while other team members look anxious.* *Compliance Officer:* *Developer:*
Compliance Officer: Did we do a risk assessment... or did we just say we did one?
Developer: Uh, I think I have a draft of the risk assessment...
Panel 3
*Setting: The same conference room, but now it’s more chaotic. The compliance officer is seen looking at a document with a confused expression, while another developer is on the phone, presumably with Ofcom. The room is filled with scattered papers, and the whiteboard is now covered in crossed-out notes.* *Compliance Officer:* *Developer:* *Highlight: The compliance officer slaps their forehead, and the developer grins, holding up a planner with a coffee cup doodle on the first day.*
Compliance Officer: Ofcom is checking if we actually did the risk assessment... and if we didn’t, they want us to do it now.
Developer: Phew, good thing we have a day planner... or is that just for coffee dates?
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