Meta Faces Escalating EU Probe Over Addictive Facebook and Instagram Designs
In Focus
- The EU started investigating Meta over child safety practices in 2024
- Meta’s probe in the regional bloc is guided by the Digital Services Act
- The EU has previously accused Meta of not taking sufficient action to protect minors
The European Union plans to intensify Meta’s addictive design probe as regulators amidst allegations that its products are harmful to children. Sources familiar to the matter said EU regulators will be issuing preliminary findings accusing Instagram and Facebook of using addictive designs to keep under-age users engaged. It’s not clear when the European Commission will issue the findings.
When Did the EU Open Meta’s Online Probe?
The European Commission started investigating Meta over child safety practices in 2024. The probe is guided by the bloc’s content moderation law, the Digital Services Act. In the probe, regulators listed various alleged breaches, including the claim that Meta’s platform interfaces cause harm to under-age users due to endless content scrolling.
Earlier this year, the European Commission accused Meta of failing to keep under-13 users off Instagram and Facebook. In recent years, regulators in the EU have prioritized child online safety and have urged platforms to block minors from accessing adult content. Additionally, the regulators have sought to reinforce age-verification systems in the region.
Probe is Part of Global Child Online Safety Efforts
The EU’s investigation into Meta’s addictive design is part of a global push to safeguard the well-being of children, including protecting them from online harm. The measures come amidst rising concerns about cyberbullying from parents and lawmakers.
Recently, the U.K. announced that it was considering a social media ban for under-age users after Australia took similar action last year. The European Commission is also considering taking such action. However, the regional bloc is awaiting recommendations from an expert panel before taking the move.
Meta has faced multiple exploitation trials in the U.S. alongside other major tech companies. The companies have been sued over allegations that addictive designs on their social media platform harm teen mental health.
Over 1,300 school districts across the country filed complaints claiming that Instagram and YouTube have made learning environments in schools worse for students. In one of the cases, a jury found that Instagram and YouTube were liable for harming the mental health of a 20-year-old woman. Earlier this year, the court ordered the companies to collectively pay $6 million following the trial in Los Angeles.
What Preliminary Findings Mean for Meta
In Europe, watchdogs have opted to use regulatory power as opposed to courts to push Meta into compliance. Under the DSA, preliminary findings comprise the second formal step in an investigation.
Meta will get a chance to defend itself against the allegations and propose remedies to address the concerns raised by the Commission. However, the company could face fines of up to 6% of its annual global revenue if it fails to do so.
