**EU Targets Meta Over ‘Addictive’ Facebook and Instagram Design**
In a significant regulatory move, European Union (EU) regulators have accused Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of failing to adequately protect users from features that allegedly promote compulsive use and negatively impact mental wellbeing. The European Commission announced these preliminary findings on Friday, following an investigation that began in May 2024.
The Commission's inquiry focused on several features of the platforms, including autoplay, infinite scrolling, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation systems. Regulators expressed particular concern about the effects these features may have on children and other vulnerable users. They highlighted that Meta did not sufficiently consider the implications of nighttime usage among minors or the potential for features like Reels and Stories to contribute to excessive engagement.
In response to the findings, the European Commission criticized Meta's existing safeguards, stating that merely providing links to mental health resources is not enough to mitigate the associated risks. The Commission is urging Meta to redesign key features, implement effective screen-time breaks, and adjust its recommendation systems to be less focused on maximizing user engagement.
Meta has firmly rejected the allegations, arguing that the findings do not accurately reflect the measures the company has already taken to protect younger users. The company maintains that it has implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing user safety and wellbeing.
This investigation is part of the EU's broader Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that large online platforms assess and mitigate systemic risks associated with their services. If the findings are confirmed, Meta could face substantial penalties, potentially amounting to 6% of its global annual revenue, which could exceed $12 billion based on the company's projected revenue for 2025.
Additionally, the Commission is examining whether Meta's recommendation algorithms lead to "rabbit hole" effects, where users are continuously directed toward similar content, potentially exploiting the vulnerabilities of younger audiences. This scrutiny follows a separate preliminary finding from April, which concluded that Meta had not done enough to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing its platforms.
The timing of the Commission's announcement is notable, as it coincides with the impending release of a report from an expert panel established by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This report, expected on Monday, will address child safety online and may propose measures such as restrictions on children's access to social media. Von der Leyen has previously indicated support for exploring a "social media delay," and countries like France, Italy, and Spain have already called for stricter regulations concerning young users.
As the EU continues to tighten its regulatory framework around digital platforms, the implications for Meta and other tech giants could be profound, potentially reshaping how social media operates in Europe and beyond.