Ofcom fines Meta over inaccurate WhatsApp business data

Tech giant repeatedly failed to provide accurate information during inquiry into the telecoms market

UK communications regulator Ofcom has fined Meta £450,000 for repeatedly providing inaccurate information regarding its WhatsApp Business service during the watchdog’s investigations into the telecoms market.

In 2025 Ofcom launched an inquiry into the market for business bulk SMS text messages to understand the pricing and services available to UK companies. As part of the process, the watchdog requested data from providers of messaging platforms, asking Meta for specific figures regarding WhatsApp Business messaging volumes and revenues.

According to Ofcom, Meta submitted inaccurate information multiple times, with some inaccuracies taking up to 11 months to resolve. An investigation launched in January found that Meta had breached five separate information requirements under the UK’s Communications Act across two formal requests.

“We conclude that Meta failed to comply with multiple information requirements across two statutory information requests issued by Ofcom under section 135 of the Act. Specifically, Meta did not respond in the manner as specified by Ofcom, having provided inaccurate information multiple times in response to five questions across two statutory information requests, as well as to two subsequent clarificatory requests.” The regulator stated.

Ofcom added that the repeated errors forced it to expend extra regulatory resources to identify mistakes and verify data, undermining the efficiency of its market analysis.

While the initial fine was set at £600,000, Ofcom reduced the penalty by 25% because Meta accepted liability, agreed to settle the case, and was not judged to benefit financially from submitting the incorrect data.

In response to the ruling, a Meta spokesperson stated that the company takes its regulatory obligations "seriously" and had "cooperated fully" throughout Ofcom's investigation.

The fine is the latest salvo in the skirmish between US tech giants and UK regulators over compliance. In a separate dispute last month, Meta – together with TikTok and X - lost a legal challenge against Ofcom over information requests issued under the Online Safety Act.