The European Union has warned Meta to overhaul what regulators describe as “addictive” design features on Facebook and Instagram or face potentially hefty financial penalties under the bloc’s landmark Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission’s preliminary findings conclude that several core features—including infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and highly personalized recommendation algorithms—encourage compulsive usage and may pose risks to users’ mental and physical well-being, particularly for children and teenagers.
The decision marks one of the EU’s strongest regulatory actions against Meta and underscores Europe’s increasingly aggressive approach to holding large technology companies accountable for the impact of their platforms on users.
EU Says Meta’s Design Encourages Addictive Behavior
Following a two-year investigation, the European Commission concluded that Meta failed to properly assess the risks associated with design choices that encourage prolonged engagement on Facebook and Instagram.
Regulators specifically highlighted features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, personalized content recommendations, Reels, and Stories, arguing that they create a continuous stream of content that can keep users engaged for extended periods. According to the Commission, these design elements may contribute to unhealthy usage patterns, especially among younger users.
EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said the Commission’s preliminary assessment indicates that the current platform design is “too addictive” and requires significant changes before the investigation reaches its final stage.
Changes the EU Wants Meta to Make
The Commission is urging Meta to redesign several aspects of Facebook and Instagram to reduce compulsive use.
Among the measures regulators are seeking are:
| Platform Feature | EU Concern | Potential Change |
|---|---|---|
| Infinite scroll | Encourages endless browsing | Disable by default or redesign |
| Autoplay videos | Promotes prolonged viewing | Turn off autoplay by default |
| Personalized recommendations | Can create addictive content loops | Reduce engagement-focused algorithms |
| Screen time management | Existing tools considered insufficient | Introduce more effective usage reminders |
| Parental controls | Too complex and easy to bypass | Simplify protections for minors |
The Commission believes these changes would better protect users from excessive social media use while improving safeguards for children and teenagers.
Meta Could Face Billions in Fines
Under the Digital Services Act, Meta now has the opportunity to respond to the Commission’s preliminary findings before regulators issue a final decision.
If the company is ultimately found to be in violation of the law and fails to make the required changes, it could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue, potentially amounting to billions of dollars given Meta’s worldwide business.
The DSA gives the European Commission broad authority to require major online platforms to assess and mitigate risks related to harmful content, public safety, and users’ physical and mental well-being.
Meta Defends Its Safety Measures
Meta has rejected the Commission’s conclusions, arguing that it has already implemented numerous protections for younger users.
The company points to its recently introduced Teen Accounts, which include enhanced privacy settings, parental supervision tools, content restrictions, and screen-time controls designed to create a safer experience for adolescents.
Meta maintains that it continues to invest heavily in online safety and believes its current measures meet regulatory expectations. However, EU officials argue that many of these tools remain too difficult for users and parents to find or configure effectively.
Part of a Wider EU Crackdown on Big Tech
The case against Meta is not occurring in isolation. European regulators have increasingly scrutinized the design practices of major technology companies, particularly those that may encourage excessive engagement among minors.
Earlier this year, the EU brought similar preliminary charges against TikTok over features such as autoplay, infinite scrolling, and recommendation algorithms that regulators believe can create so-called “rabbit-hole effects,” where users are repeatedly served similar content that keeps them engaged for long periods.
The Commission is also conducting separate investigations into Facebook’s and Instagram’s recommendation systems and whether Meta has done enough to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing its platforms. These inquiries could lead to additional enforcement actions in the future.
What It Means for Users
If Meta ultimately complies with the EU’s demands, Facebook and Instagram users in Europe could experience noticeable changes to how the platforms operate. Features such as endless scrolling, autoplay videos, and highly personalized recommendations may become less prominent or require users to opt in rather than being enabled by default.
Such changes could alter how users discover content, spend time on social media, and interact with Meta’s apps. While the immediate impact would likely be limited to the European Union, regulatory decisions in Europe have historically influenced product changes that later expand to other regions.
What Happens Next?
Meta will now have the opportunity to formally respond to the Commission’s preliminary findings before a final ruling is issued in the coming months. The company can propose changes to its platform design, challenge the Commission’s conclusions, or negotiate remedies to avoid a formal non-compliance decision.
The outcome of the case is expected to set an important precedent for how regulators worldwide address concerns about addictive digital design. As governments continue to focus on protecting children and reducing excessive social media use, the EU’s action against Meta could shape future regulations affecting major technology platforms far beyond Europe.
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