EU Intensifies Probe into Meta’s Child Safety Practices
The European Union is reportedly deepening its investigation into claims that Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta social media platforms are designed to keep children engaged for extended periods.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the European Commission, which oversees competition in the EU, is nearing the release of initial findings. These findings suggest that Facebook and Instagram incorporate features that contribute to addictive behavior.
While a specific timeline for this publication hasn’t been established, officials are working on it.
This inquiry, first announced back in May 2024, is primarily focused on potential breaches of EU digital services regulations. These laws compel major tech companies to monitor the content shared on their platforms.
EU officials have voiced concerns about how Facebook and Instagram might foster “behavioral addictions” among children. There’s an alarming “rabbit hole effect,” where kids find themselves using the apps to the detriment of their overall health.
Moreover, worries have been raised about the effectiveness of Meta’s age verification measures. The preliminary findings are a significant milestone in the Commission’s investigation, and Meta will have a chance to suggest solutions in response to identified issues.
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), tech companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global revenues for non-compliance with regulatory expectations.
Estimating based on Meta’s 2025 fiscal year earnings, the company could be liable for fines around $12 billion, although historical fines imposed by the EU have generally been lower.
This tough stance could escalate tensions between the EU and the Trump administration, which has previously criticized EU actions as discriminatory towards American tech firms.
In addition, the ongoing EU fines have stalled trade discussions between the two entities. Zuckerberg himself has remarked that these fines feel almost like tariffs and have become a broad strategy employed by the EU against American tech.
On top of this, Meta is dealing with over 2,000 lawsuits in the U.S., accusing its platforms of encouraging addiction and causing harm to children. In a notable turn of events, Meta faced defeats in two major lawsuits earlier this year, which some critics have likened to a pivotal moment in the tech industry’s battle against issues similar to those seen with tobacco companies.
