EU threatens Meta with fines over Facebook and Instagram's addictive features

Facebook and Instagram's addictive features">

The EU announced on Friday that Meta must overhaul Facebook's and Instagram's addictive design features or face a fine. The tech giant is in breach of the Digital Services Act by focusing on features like infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation algorithms, the European Commission said. The Commission says these features fuel the user's urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into 'autopilot mode,' which contributes to unhealthy habits and compulsive use.

It found that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the addictive design of its platforms to users' physical and mental wellbeing, including minors and vulnerable adults. The Commission also accused Meta of ignoring evidence about the amount of time minors spend on Instagram and Facebook at night and how features such as Reels and Stories could encourage excessive or compulsive use of the platforms. 'Evidence also shows that Meta's current mitigation measures failed to effectively tackle the risks stemming from its addictive design,' the Commission wrote.

'For example, Instagram's and Facebook's time management tools, including those activated by default for teens, can be easily dismissed and do not lead to a meaningful reduction and control of the usage of the service.' It is calling on Meta to disable key addictive features, such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, and to introduce effective screen-time breaks, as well as modify its recommendation algorithm to make it less focused on user engagement. The findings are not final, and Meta will now have the opportunity to review the evidence against it and submit a formal response. If the Commission's findings are confirmed, Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover.

Meta did not immediately respond to TechCrunch's request for comment. Friday's announcement marks the second time this year that the EU Commission has found Meta of breaching its laws. In April, the Commission found that Meta was failing to prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram.

Meta has also been facing scrutiny in the U.S. for failing to protect young users on its platforms. Most recently, Meta said in a court filing on Monday that four U.S.

states are seeking $1.4 trillion in penalties over claims that the tech giant designed Facebook and Instagram to addict young users and that it misled the public about the platforms' safety. Why this matters: The EU's announcement marks a significant escalation in regulatory pressure on Meta to address concerns about its platforms' impact on users' wellbeing. The company's alleged failure to protect young users and assess the risks of its addictive design features has serious implications for its business and reputation.