EU Orders Meta to Change Features Linked to Addiction
The European Union’s technology regulator has demanded that Meta implement significant changes to its “addictive” features on Facebook and Instagram, warning that failure to comply could result in hefty fines.
The European Commission pointed out several specific features, like “highly personalized recommendations, autoplay, and infinite scrolling,” which, it claims, combine to keep users, particularly impressionable children, entangled in social media.
If Meta does not adjust these features to align with the EU’s digital services law, it risks fines of up to 6% of its annual revenue. The Digital Services Act outlines a thorough regulatory framework requiring major tech companies to adhere to specific standards regarding the content and design of their applications.
In a rare move, the European Commission stated that Meta must eliminate infinite scrolling, introduce “screen time breaks,” and modify its recommendation system to focus more on genuine user engagement.
The Commission’s investigation revealed that Meta did not sufficiently evaluate the risks its addictive designs pose to the mental and physical health of users, including vulnerable minors. They expressed concern that these features encourage habitual scrolling and lead to compulsive usage.
Based on Meta’s revenue projections for 2025, it could face fines around $12 billion. However, previous penalties from the EU in similar cases have generally been lower.
EU investigators also highlighted that Meta appeared to overlook data about the time minors spend on its platforms late at night and how the optimization of features like Reels and Stories could result in excessive use.
A company spokesperson contested the EU’s findings, stating, “We disagree with these preliminary conclusions, which don’t reflect the significant measures we’ve implemented to protect teens.”
Meta has previously introduced a Teen Accounts feature designed to help minimize social media addiction, offering parents the ability to restrict access to Facebook and Instagram during nighttime.
The company faces increasing scrutiny in both Europe and the U.S. concerning its role in fostering social media addiction and other potential harms. Earlier this year, the European Commission ruled that Meta failed to adequately prevent access for users under the age of 13.
In the U.S., Meta finds itself grappling with over 2,400 lawsuits related to its addictive features, drawing comparisons to a “Big Tobacco moment” for social media following a string of legal setbacks in places like Los Angeles and New Mexico this year.
