The European Commission has instructed Meta to disable design elements on Facebook and Instagram that harm users' physical and mental health, especially minors. The move comes under the Digital Services Act, with potential fines up to 6% of global revenue.
Key Takeaways
- EU demands Meta turn off infinite scroll, autoplay and other addictive features.
- Under the Digital Services Act, fines could reach up to 6% of the company’s global annual revenue.
- Meta cites teen accounts and screen‑time tools, but the Commission deems them insufficient.
Background of the Digital Services Act— Enacted in 2024, the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) obliges online platforms to prioritize user safety, with a special focus on protecting children from harmful design. The law requires platforms to conduct risk assessments and curb “addictive design” practices.
EU’s New Demands
On July 10, the European Commission released preliminary findings accusing Meta Platforms of engineering Facebook and Instagram to keep users hooked through infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and algorithm‑driven push notifications. The Commission labeled these mechanisms as “addictive” and ordered them to be disabled by default.
Meta’s Response
Meta called the findings “incomplete” and highlighted its rollout of “Teen Accounts,” which give parents the ability to block Instagram at night and cap daily screen time at 15 minutes. While the company expressed willingness to engage constructively, it also noted that existing parental controls are easily overridden, limiting their effectiveness.
Implications and Next Steps
If Meta fails to comply with the final decision, it could face fines amounting to 6% of its global annual turnover – a sum that would dwarf any previous regulatory penalty. This case could set a precedent, forcing all major social‑media giants to redesign their interfaces with user‑centric safeguards rather than engagement‑driven loops.
