- British communications regulator Ofcom says evidence suggests Meta may not have fully complied with information requests about WhatsApp in a wholesale SMS review.
- The probe underscores broader concerns about how major tech firms respond to regulatory inquiries and transparency obligations.
What happened: Ofcom investigates Meta’s WhatsApp data responses
British communications regulator Ofcom said on 23 January 2026 that it has opened an investigation into Meta Platforms over the accuracy and completeness of information the company provided relating to its messaging service WhatsApp as part of a market review. The regulator indicated that the evidence it has so far suggests the data Meta supplied may not have been complete or accurate.
Ofcom’s inquiry centres on a review of the wholesale market for business bulk SMS messages, which are used by organisations for functions such as appointment reminders and parcel delivery notifications. As part of that review, Ofcom issued formal information requests to Meta about how WhatsApp and its business messaging services operate within that market. The regulator said that responding thoroughly to such requests helps it fulfil its statutory duties as the UK telecoms and media regulator.
In response to the announcement, a Meta spokesperson said the company takes its regulatory obligations seriously and allocates significant resources to meeting information requests, and that it will cooperate fully with the investigation. Meta has not commented on the specifics of the data under scrutiny.
The probe is one of several regulatory challenges facing Meta in the UK and Europe, where competition, privacy and child safety rules are increasingly applied to large technology firms.
Also Read: https://btw.media/all/internet-governance/ofcom-enforces-online-safety-act/
Why it’s important: regulatory scrutiny and transparency in tech
Ofcom’s investigation into Meta’s compliance with information requests highlights growing tensions between regulators and technology giants over transparency and accountability. WhatsApp, acquired by Meta in 2014 as part of a major expansion of its social and messaging services, has long emphasised end-to-end encryption and privacy as core features, but regulators also need accurate information to assess competitive dynamics and consumer impact.
The probe raises broader questions about how effectively large tech firms respond to statutory information requests, particularly when regulators have legal powers to compel data. Incomplete or inaccurate responses to such requests can undermine market reviews designed to protect competition and consumers. For example, Ofcom’s SMS review touches on how messaging services compete with traditional telecoms offerings — an area where digital platforms have disrupted legacy markets.
There is also a transparency trade-off: while companies may be cautious about disclosing proprietary or sensitive operational details, regulators argue that without reliable data they cannot form robust policy or enforcement decisions. This tension plays out globally across privacy, competition and tech governance regimes, not only in the UK but also in the European Union and other jurisdictions seeking to assert oversight over platforms integral to digital communication.
As the investigation proceeds, the outcome could affect how Meta and other large platforms approach regulatory compliance and transparency, especially in areas where encrypted services intersect with public policy objectives.
Also Read: https://btw.media/all/it-infrastructure/uk-tightens-rules-on-unsolicited-nude-images/
