EU charges Meta over addictive Instagram and Facebook features

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings saying Meta Platforms may have breached EU tech rules through features on Instagram and Facebook that encourage compulsive use. Regulators said the case centres on autoplay, infinite scroll and recommendation systems that can keep users engaged for longer periods. The findings follow a two-year investigation under the European Union's Digital Services Act.

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The Commission said Meta had not adequately assessed the risks posed by highly personalised recommendations, autoplay and infinite scroll. It also said reels and stories on Facebook and Instagram could contribute to excessive or compulsive use. According to the regulator, time-management tools can be easily dismissed, while parental controls require significant time, effort and technical knowledge to use effectively.

Meta was told to disable features such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introduce effective screen-time breaks and make its recommendation system less focused on driving engagement. The company faces possible fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if it does not comply. Meta said it disagreed with the preliminary findings and said it had already rolled out Teen Accounts that automatically protect teenagers and give parents control over access and screen time.

The case is significant because it is one of the clearest tests yet of the Digital Services Act, the EU law that requires large online platforms to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content. It also reflects wider concern among governments about the impact of social media on children's mental health. Some countries have already imposed or considered restrictions on underage users as scrutiny of platform design has increased.

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The Commission said its starting point was that the design in question is too addictive and that changes need to be made. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said the next step would be for Meta to change its design or face a non-compliance decision. Meta said it would continue to engage constructively with EU regulators, and it will now have the chance to respond before any final ruling is issued.

What remains unclear is how far Meta will go in changing the features flagged by the Commission and whether the company's existing teen protections will satisfy regulators. The final decision is expected in the coming months, and the outcome could set an important precedent for how the EU applies its digital rules to major platforms. It may also influence how other regulators assess addictive design features in social media products.

#EuropeanCommission #MetaPlatforms #DigitalServicesAct #Instagram #Facebook