EU Accuses Meta of Addictive Design on Facebook, Instagram

The European Union accused Meta Platforms on Friday of breaching its social media law by designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive and demanded the disabling of key features like infinite scrolling. This action stems from an investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU's stringent digital rulebook, which mandates tech platforms to protect internet users under threat of significant fines. The European Commission stated that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks posed by its design features to the physical and mental health of users, including minors. While Meta offers tools to manage usage, the commission found these controls to be easily bypassed or difficult to implement effectively.

The commission's preliminary findings indicate that Meta must implement design changes to Instagram and Facebook. These changes include disabling features such as autoplay of videos and infinite scrolling by default. Meta now has an opportunity to present its defense before the commission renders a final decision, which could lead to a fine equivalent to up to 6% of the company's global annual revenue. The DSA aims to hold platforms accountable for addictive design elements and ensure user safety.

In response, Meta stated that the preliminary findings do not acknowledge the protective measures already implemented for teenagers. The company highlighted its introduction of "Teen Accounts," which automatically safeguard minors and grant parents control over access, including the ability to block Instagram at night and limit daily screen time to 15 minutes. Meta expressed its commitment to collaborating with the European Commission to foster safe and positive online experiences for young users, emphasizing shared goals for teen online safety. The EU's enforcement of the DSA underscores its dedication to addressing addictive design practices on digital platforms.