EU says Instagram and Facebook are addictive, asks Meta to make changes or pay massive fine
Follow UsThe EU says features like autoplay, infinite scrolling, Reels and personalised recommendations encourage excessive platform use, especially among teenagers.
Regulators have asked Meta to introduce stronger safeguards, including disabling autoplay by default and improving screen-time controls.
Meta has rejected the allegations, but could face fines of up to 6 per cent of its global annual revenue if found in violation of the DSA.
It seems that Meta is going through some really bad days. Following regulatory pressure from India, the European Commission has now accused the brand of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), stating that Instagram and Facebook are designed in ways that negatively affect users, particularly teens. The preliminary findings are part of an investigation launched nearly two years ago into whether Meta has done enough to reduce risks associated with its platform.
SurveyAs per the EU, many core features of Instagram and Facebook, including personalised recommendations, autoplay videos and infinite scrolling, may contribute to compulsive usage patterns. The regulations also raised concerns about Reels and Stories, stating these formats may encourage users to spend longer periods on the platform.
The EU said Meta’s existing safeguards are insufficient. It argued that screen time management tools can be easily ignored while parental controls are too complicated for many families to use effectively. As a result, the Commission has suggested that Meta should disable autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, introduce stronger reminders encouraging users to take breaks, and reduce the emphasis on engagement-driven recommendations.
On the other hand, Meta has rejected the regulator’s conclusions. The company stated that it disagrees with preliminary findings and believes they fail to acknowledge the measures it has introduced to protect younger users.
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The company even pointed to its Teen Accounts, which automatically apply additional safety protections, including restrictions on nighttime access and daily screen-time limits that parents can manage. Meta said it will continue working with European regulators as the investigation progresses.
If the Commission ultimately concludes that Meta has breached the DSA, the company may face penalties of up to six per cent of its global annual revenue. Meta now has the opportunity to respond before the EU reaches a final decision in the coming months.
Additionally, the commission is also investigating whether Facebook and Instagram’s recommendation systems create “rabbit hole” effects that repeatedly push users toward similar content, while another ongoing probe focuses on preventing children under 13 from accessing the platforms.
