The European Commission has found that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, may be violating European law with the ‘addictive design’ of its social media platforms. The commission says features such as autoplay, infinitely scrolling feeds, personalized recommendations, and push notifications could compromise users’ physical and mental wellbeing.

Investigation Findings

The investigation, launched in 2024, found that Meta has failed to adequately address or warn users of the risks associated with these features. The commission also found that Meta’s efforts to mitigate these risks, such as time management reminders and parental control tools, are not effective.

Meta has disputed the findings, stating that it has taken significant steps to protect teens, including the rollout of ‘Teen Accounts’ that automatically protect teens and put parents in control. However, the commission says that these efforts are not enough and that Meta must make significant changes to its platforms to address the ‘addictive design’ features.

Potential Consequences

If Meta is found to be in violation of the EU’s Digital Services Act, it could face fines of up to 6% of its global revenue, which could total over $12 billion. The commission’s findings are preliminary, and Meta will have the opportunity to dispute them.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.