EU Poses Potential Fines on Meta for Addictive Features in Facebook and Instagram

On Friday, the European Union issued a directive requiring Meta to revise the addictive elements of Facebook and Instagram, or face potential financial penalties. The company is alleged to be in violation of the Digital Services Act by prioritizing features like endless scrolling, autoplay, push notifications, and highly tailored recommendation systems, according to the European Commission.

The Commission argues that these features drive users to endlessly scroll and put their minds in “autopilot mode,” leading to unhealthy behaviors and compulsive usage. They found that Meta did not sufficiently evaluate the risks posed by the addictive nature of its platforms, particularly to minors and vulnerable adults.

Additionally, the Commission accused Meta of disregarding data regarding the amount of time minors spend on Instagram and Facebook at night, noting that features like Reels and Stories may promote excessive or compulsive usage.

“Evidence indicates that Meta’s current measures have not effectively addressed the risks linked to its addictive design,” the Commission stated. “For instance, the time management tools available on Instagram and Facebook, including those set by default for teenagers, can be easily ignored and do not significantly reduce or control service usage.”

The Commission is urging Meta to deactivate key addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implement effective breaks for screen time, and adjust its recommendation algorithms to be less centered on user engagement.

These findings are preliminary, and Meta will have the chance to review the evidence and provide a formal response. Should the Commission’s conclusions stand, Meta could incur fines amounting to 6% of its total annual global revenue.

Meta has yet to respond to requests for comments.

This announcement marks the second instance this year in which the EU Commission has found Meta non-compliant with its regulations. Back in April, it determined that the company was not effectively preventing children under the age of 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram.

Moreover, Meta is also under scrutiny in the United States for purportedly failing to safeguard young users on its platforms. Recently, Meta disclosed in a court document that four U.S. states are pursuing $1.4 trillion in penalties based on allegations that the company designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for younger users and that it misrepresented the safety of these platforms.