Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms

The tech company Meta has been found to be in breach of EU law for failing to prevent children under 13 from using its Facebook and Instagram platforms. Issuing the preliminary findings of a nearly two-year investigation, the European Commission said on Wednesday that Meta did not have effective measures in place to stop under-13s accessing its services. The Commission's investigation was launched in March 2021 to assess whether Meta's platforms were compliant with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The GDPR requires companies to ensure that they have effective measures in place to protect the personal data of children. According to the Commission, Meta's current measures to prevent under-13s from accessing its platforms are insufficient. The company requires users to provide their age and date of birth to create an account, but the Commission found that this process is not effective in preventing children from accessing the platforms.

"We are concerned that Meta does not have effective measures in place to ensure that children under 13 are not accessing its platforms," a Commission spokesperson said. "This is a serious concern, as children under 13 should not be using these platforms in the first place." The Commission's preliminary findings are a significant blow to Meta, which has faced intense scrutiny in recent years over its handling of user data. The company has been criticized for its failure to protect the personal data of its users, particularly children.

The Commission will now consider Meta's response to its preliminary findings before making a final decision on the matter. If Meta is found to have breached EU law, it could face significant fines and penalties.