EU Rules Meta Failing to Keep Kids Off Facebook and Instagram

The European Commission has issued a preliminary decision finding Meta in breach of Europe's Digital Services Act (DSA) rules, citing the company's failure to prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram. The Commission's ruling, announced on Wednesday, comes after an almost two-year investigation into Meta's practices. According to the Commission, Meta lacks adequate measures to stop under-13s from accessing its services or to identify and remove those already on its social media platforms.

A striking example of this failure, the Commission noted, is that minors can easily circumvent age restrictions by entering a false birth date when signing up for Facebook and Instagram, thereby falsely declaring they're over 13 years old – the minimum age required to use the platforms. This development raises significant concerns about Meta's ability to protect young users and enforce its own policies. The company will have the opportunity to respond to the Commission's findings before a final decision is made.

The DSA rules are designed to ensure that tech companies take sufficient steps to mitigate risks associated with their platforms, including the protection of minors. The Commission's preliminary decision suggests that Meta has fallen short of these obligations. Meta's practices have been under intense scrutiny in recent years, with lawmakers and regulators worldwide pushing for greater accountability from social media giants.