EU puts Meta on the spot: Demands removal of Facebook and Instagram’s 'addictive design
Brussels believes that features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay and algorithms designed to maximize usage time put users’ mental health at risk, especially that of minors. If the company does not make changes, it could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
Facebook and Instagram, subsidiaries of Meta Platforms. File photo
The European Union has ramped up pressure on Meta by demanding that it modify the way Facebook and Instagram operate to remove features it considers part of an "addictive design," a strategy that, according to Brussels, encourages the compulsive use of its platforms and increases the risks to the physical and mental health of users, especially children, adolescents and vulnerable individuals.
If it fails to comply with the E.U.’s requirements, the U.S. company could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
In a preliminary opinion issued this Friday, the European Commission concluded that Meta had failed to comply with the obligations set forth by the Digital Services Act (DSA) by not adequately mitigating the risks arising from the design of its platforms.
What changes is the E.U. proposing?
Among the changes proposed by Brussels are the elimination of infinite scrolling, the deactivation of autoplay, the inclusion of effective breaks to help reduce usage time and a review of recommendation systems so they no longer prioritize constant engagement over users’ well-being.
European Commission Vice President for Technological Sovereignty Henna Virkkunen defended the decision, stating that protecting the physical and mental health of European citizens must be a priority for digital platforms. The initiative is part of a broader strategy through which the European Union seeks to strengthen the protection of minors against the risks associated with intensive use of social media.
Meta rejected the preliminary findings of the investigation, though it assured that it will continue to cooperate with E.U. authorities throughout the process. Brussels, however, insists that the main objective is not to penalize the company, but to bring about effective changes in the design of its services. “We want to bring about change, and if we can get that change via commitments then we would be most happy,” a senior European official told AFP.
Concern: Screen time limits and parental control systems
The investigation into Meta was launched in 2024 under the Digital Services Act, one of the main regulatory tools the European Union is using to hold big tech companies more accountable. The case joins similar actions taken against TikTok and reinforces Brussels’ message: the business model based on capturing users’ attention will no longer be exempt from strict regulatory scrutiny.
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