The European Union on Tuesday accused Meta Platforms, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, of violating technology regulations, claiming that certain features of the social networks are designed to keep users on the platform for longer. Regulators are demanding changes to features such as autoplay and infinite scroll, warning that the company could face fines if it fails to do so.
The European Commission's preliminary findings are the result of a two-year investigation conducted under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which obliges large online platforms to combat illegal and harmful content more effectively.
Social networks around the world are facing increasing pressure over concerns that their platforms are contributing to the mental health crisis in children, leading some countries to introduce or consider bans on use by minors.
The European Commission, as the regulator for digital technologies, said that Meta had not adequately assessed the risks of addiction created by highly personalized content recommendations, auto-playing videos, and infinite scrolling, which constantly offer users new content and encourage them to stay online as long as possible.
The Commission believes that Reels and Stories on Facebook and Instagram may contribute to excessive or compulsive use of social networks.
The regulator also criticized the measures Meta has put in place to mitigate these risks, stating that tools for managing time spent online can be easily overlooked, while parental controls require a lot of time, effort, and technical knowledge to use effectively.
The Commission believes that Meta should disable features such as auto-play content and infinite scrolling by default, introduce effective breaks that encourage users to take a break from the screen, and make the recommendation system less focused on increasing user engagement.
Meta denies the allegations.
"We disagree with these preliminary findings, which do not take into account the significant steps we have taken to protect teenagers," said Meta spokesman Ben Walters.
He recalled that since the beginning of the investigation, the company has introduced Teen Accounts, accounts for teenagers that automatically provide additional protection and give parents more control, including the ability to block access to Instagram at night and limit daily time spent online to just 15 minutes.
Meta announced that it will continue constructive cooperation with European Union regulators.
"Our initial conclusion is that the current design is too addictive and needs to be changed," Hena Virkunen, the European Commission's executive vice-president for technological sovereignty, security and democracy, told Reuters in a statement.
"The next step is for Meta to change the design of its platforms or face a decision of non-compliance with the rules."
The company faces a fine of up to six percent of its total annual global revenue, and before the European Commission's final decision, which is expected in the coming months, Meta will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The company lost a bid last month to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by 29 US state attorneys general, alleging that Facebook and Instagram are addictive in children.
The European Union's allegations against Meta are similar to those leveled against TikTok in February, when regulators asked the platform to make almost identical changes.
The European Commission is also separately investigating the so-called "rabbit hole" effect that arises from recommendation systems on Facebook and Instagram, where algorithms direct users to increasingly similar content and encourage long-term viewing.
In another case, launched in April, the Commission warned Meta that it must do more to prevent children under 13 from accessing its social networks or face fines.
The European Commission is due to receive an expert report on Monday that could pave the way for an EU-wide ban on social media use by teenagers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present the initiative in her September State of the Union address.
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