EU Presses Meta to Remove Facebook and Instagram Features It Says Encourage Addictive Use
The European Union has intensified its scrutiny of Meta, accusing the company of designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that encourage compulsive use. Regulators on Friday issued preliminary findings alleging that several core platform features violate the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA) and called on Meta to make significant design changes.
The European Commission said the investigation found that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks its platform design poses to users' physical and mental well-being, particularly for children and teenagers.
EU Targets Infinite Scroll, Autoplay, and Personalized Feeds
Among the features drawing regulatory attention are infinite scrolling, video autoplay, personalized content recommendations, and push notifications.
According to the Commission, these design elements create an uninterrupted flow of content that keeps users engaged for extended periods and may contribute to compulsive behavior.
European regulators want Meta to disable some of these features by default and redesign its platforms to encourage healthier usage habits.
Regulators Say Existing Controls Fall Short
The Commission also questioned the effectiveness of Meta's current parental controls and screen time management tools.
Officials said many of the available safeguards can be easily bypassed, dismissed by users, or require technical knowledge that makes them difficult for parents to configure properly.
As part of its recommendations, the EU is urging Meta to introduce stronger prompts encouraging users to take breaks and adjust its recommendation systems so they rely less heavily on engagement-driven algorithms.
Meta Defends Its Safety Measures
Meta rejected the Commission's preliminary conclusions, arguing that they overlook safety improvements already introduced for younger users.
The company pointed to its Teen Accounts initiative, which automatically applies enhanced protections for teenagers, including parental controls that can restrict nighttime Instagram access and set daily screen time limits.
Meta said it remains committed to working with European regulators while continuing to improve online safety for younger users.
Investigation Could Lead to Significant Financial Penalties
The findings are part of an ongoing investigation launched in 2024 under the Digital Services Act, one of the European Union's most comprehensive digital regulations governing large online platforms.
Because the findings are preliminary, Meta now has an opportunity to respond before the Commission reaches a final decision.
If regulators ultimately determine that Meta violated the DSA, the company could face fines of up to 6% of its annual global revenue.
Child Safety Remains a Major Focus
The latest action follows several other EU investigations into Meta's handling of younger users.
Earlier this year, European regulators alleged that the company had failed to do enough to prevent children under 13 years old—the minimum age for Facebook and Instagram accounts—from creating profiles and remaining active on the platforms.
Those concerns continue to shape the broader investigation into whether Meta is meeting its legal obligations to protect minors online.
Europe Continues Tougher Oversight of Big Tech
The case reflects the European Union's broader push to hold major technology companies accountable for platform design choices that may affect user safety and mental health.
EU officials say social media companies have a responsibility to build products that prioritize user well-being rather than maximizing engagement, particularly when children and teenagers are involved.
The Commission's final decision could become another significant test of how aggressively Europe enforces its digital regulations against the world's largest technology companies.
