- The Commission criticized Meta’s existing safety measures, saying current time-management tools can be easily bypassed, while parental controls require significant effort and technical knowledge to operate effectively.
- If Meta is ultimately found to have violated EU rules, it could face fines of up to 6 percent of its global annual revenue. The company will have an opportunity to respond to the findings before the Commission reaches a final decision in the coming months.
- The case comes amid growing international scrutiny of social media platforms, with governments increasingly examining their impact on children’s mental health and considering stricter regulations on minors’ access to digital services.
The European Commission has accused Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of breaching European Union technology rules by failing to adequately address risks linked to features that encourage prolonged use of its platforms.
The Commission said on Friday that its preliminary findings identified concerns over features including autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, and personalized recommendation systems, which regulators believe are designed to keep users engaged for extended periods.
The findings follow a two-year investigation under the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires major online platforms to take stronger measures to address illegal and harmful content and reduce potential risks to users.
The EU technology regulator said Meta had not sufficiently assessed the potential addictive effects of its platform designs, particularly on younger users.
It highlighted features such as short videos and stories on Facebook and Instagram, saying they could contribute to excessive or compulsive usage.
The Commission criticized Meta’s existing safety measures, saying current time-management tools can be easily bypassed, while parental controls require significant effort and technical knowledge to operate effectively.
As part of possible corrective measures, the Commission said Meta should consider disabling autoplay and infinite scrolling features by default, introducing effective breaks to limit screen time, and adjusting recommendation systems so they are less focused on maximizing user engagement.
EU technology chief Hina Virkkonen said the main concern was that certain platform designs are highly addictive and must be changed. She warned that Meta must either modify its systems or risk a formal non-compliance decision under EU regulations.
Meta spokesperson Ben Walters rejected the Commission’s preliminary assessment, saying it did not fully recognize the company’s efforts to protect teenagers. He pointed to the introduction of teen accounts with automatic safeguards, parental controls, nighttime restrictions, and daily usage limits.
The company said it would continue cooperating with European regulators throughout the process.
If Meta is ultimately found to have violated EU rules, it could face fines of up to 6 percent of its global annual revenue. The company will have an opportunity to respond to the findings before the Commission reaches a final decision in the coming months.
The case comes amid growing international scrutiny of social media platforms, with governments increasingly examining their impact on children’s mental health and considering stricter regulations on minors’ access to digital services.
