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 and Findings

The investigation, launched in 2024, found that Meta has failed to adequately address or warn users of these risks, and that it may be running afoul of the EU’s Digital Services Act. The commission’s findings state that Meta failed to consider the risks of autoplay, infinite scroll, and personalized recommendations, which ‘fuel the user’s urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into ‘autopilot mode,’ contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use.’

Meta has disputed the findings, saying it has taken significant steps to protect teens, including rolling out ‘Teen Accounts’ that automatically protect teens and put parents in control. However, the commission found that Meta’s efforts to mitigate these risks are not working, and that time management reminders can easily be dismissed and that the app’s parental control tools require parents to have some level of technical expertise and devote time to understanding them.

Potential Consequences

If Meta is found in violation of the DSA, it could be fined as much as 6% of its global revenue, which could total more than $12 billion. The commission’s findings are preliminary, and Meta will have the opportunity to dispute them.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.