Meta is facing urgent pressure from the European Union after regulators said on Friday that Facebook and Instagram rely on “addictive design” that puts millions of users especially children at risk. As always, please confirm political information with a trusted source. In a fast‑moving development, the EU said Meta must make immediate changes or risk one of the largest fines ever issued under Europe’s digital‑safety laws.
EU officials said features such as endless scrolling, personalised content feeds and automatic video playback were deliberately built to keep users online longer, even when it harms their wellbeing. Regulators said these design choices violate the Digital Services Act, the bloc’s sweeping online‑safety rulebook.
Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s tech chief, said social platforms must prioritise the physical and mental health of Europeans. Digital‑rights groups backed the warning, saying Meta’s platforms have long encouraged compulsive use among young people.
The European Commission said Meta must disable autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introduce effective screen‑time breaks and adjust its recommendation systems so they are less driven by engagement. The findings follow months of investigation and mark a major step toward a formal ruling.
Meta said it disagreed with the EU’s assessment but would continue to “engage constructively.” The company has faced similar scrutiny in the United States and other regions, where lawmakers have raised concerns about the impact of algorithm‑driven feeds on children.
If the EU’s preliminary view is upheld, Meta could face a fine of up to six percent of its global annual revenue a penalty that could reach billions of dollars. Analysts say the case could reshape how other platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, design their feeds for European users.
A senior EU official said the goal is not to punish companies but to push them toward safer design choices. A final decision is expected in the coming months, and Meta would be required to implement changes across Europe if the ruling is confirmed.
