LONDON, January 23, 2026, 17:16 (GMT)
- Ofcom has launched an investigation into Meta concerning its handling of statutory information requests related to WhatsApp Business
- The regulator indicated that some information might have been incomplete or inaccurate.
- Meta stated it takes its obligations seriously and plans to cooperate with the inquiry
On Friday, Britain’s communications watchdog Ofcom announced it has launched an investigation into Meta Platforms regarding the data the company submitted about WhatsApp Business.
This case is crucial because Ofcom relies on statutory data requests to support its analysis of the business messaging sector, including a wholesale market review for bulk business texts. If the data is off, the regulator’s entire view of that market could be skewed.
This comes as companies increasingly rely on automated texts and chat apps to connect with customers. Ofcom is essentially testing if it can force major platforms to provide usable data promptly, whenever required.
Ofcom says it’s investigating whether Meta failed to meet the requirements in its responses to information request notices under section 135 of the Communications Act 2003. These notices, issued on July 31, 2024, and June 19, 2025, requested data specifically about Meta’s WhatsApp Business.
The regulator described statutory information requests as “a key part” of its role, emphasizing the importance of stakeholders supplying accurate and complete data promptly. It also noted that enforcement action under section 138 of the Act could follow if there’s reason to suspect a breach.
Ofcom reported that it had conducted a review of the wholesale market for business bulk SMS messages, which are commonly used for “appointment reminders and parcel delivery notifications.”
Ofcom stated that “the available evidence suggests the information we received in response from Meta may not have been complete and accurate.” Meta’s spokesperson responded that the company takes its regulatory duties seriously, has committed “significant resources” to fulfilling requests, and will cooperate fully with the investigation. Reuters
The Ofcom research mentioned in the investigation deals with the backbone of daily messaging. A2P SMS—meaning application-to-person texts—are those bulk messages companies send via systems, not individual phones. “Termination” means the wholesale delivery of these messages to mobile users.
The regulator hasn’t detailed what it thinks was missing or incorrect, nor how significant the gaps are. Meta could still offer clarifications or revised numbers, and Ofcom hasn’t indicated when it plans to wrap up the investigation.
