EU Orders Meta to Remove Addictive Design Features from Instagram and Facebook
The European Commission’s preliminary findings say infinite scroll and autoplay violate digital rules, threatening fines of up to 6% of global turnover unless the platforms are redesigned.
The European Commission issued preliminary findings on Friday that Meta’s Instagram and Facebook breach the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA) through features it describes as “addictive design,” and ordered the company to change them or face fines of up to 6 percent of its global annual turnover. The decision, which follows a two-year investigation, requires Meta to disable by default functions such as infinite scroll and automatic video playback, introduce effective screen-time breaks, and adapt its recommendation algorithms to be less engagement-oriented. If confirmed, the penalty could reach roughly €12 billion based on Meta’s 2025 revenue.
Brussels alleges that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks its design poses to the physical and mental wellbeing of users, particularly minors and vulnerable adults. The Commission’s statement said features like highly personalised recommendations, push notifications and autoplay “fuel the user’s urge to keep scrolling and put the brain on ‘autopilot’, contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use.” EU officials also concluded that Meta’s time-management tools can be easily dismissed, while parental controls require significant technical knowledge and effort, undermining their effectiveness. The regulator further accused the company of ignoring available data on the hours minors spend on the platforms at night and on how formats such as Reels and Stories could lead to excessive use.
Meta rejected the preliminary findings, saying they do not accurately reflect the steps it has taken to protect teenagers. A company spokesperson pointed to Teen Accounts, introduced after the investigation began, which automatically apply protections and allow parents to block Instagram access at night and cap daily screen time at 15 minutes. The firm said it shares the Commission’s commitment to safe online experiences for young people and will continue to engage constructively. A senior EU official acknowledged a “slight difference” with the parallel case against TikTok, noting that Meta has consistently tried to address minor protection, but insisted that the current design remains too addictive and changes are required.
The move is part of a broader regulatory push across Europe and beyond. In February, the Commission issued similar demands to TikTok, and it is separately investigating Facebook and Instagram for so-called “rabbit hole” effects in their recommendation systems. In April, Brussels also accused Meta of failing to prevent children under 13 from accessing its platforms. Viewed from Washington, the case adds to mounting pressure on social media firms: a US jury earlier this year found Meta and YouTube liable for harmfully addictive design, awarding $6 million in damages, while 29 state attorneys general are pursuing similar claims. In Australia, a ban on social media for under-16s has already been legislated, and several EU member states, including France, are pushing for bloc-wide age restrictions. Meta now has the right to examine the investigation file and respond in writing before the Commission issues a final decision, which is expected in the coming months. An expert panel advising European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to deliver recommendations on child online protection on Monday.
| Atlantic / Anglosphere press | 0.00 | neutral |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Saharan African press | −0.20 | neutral |
| Continental European press | −0.50 | critical |
The European Union acts as a regulator enforcing its Digital Services Act, demanding compliance from Meta. The tone is neutral, presenting the EU's position as a matter of law, not emotion.
By framing the EU's action as a straightforward regulatory demand without dramatic language, the report normalizes the EU's authority and presents the issue as a technical compliance matter rather than a moral crisis.
The atlantica report omits the threat of heavy fines and the focus on protecting children and vulnerable adults, which are highlighted in other blocs.
The European Union warns Meta with a heavy fine, positioning itself as a protector of users, especially children. The report adopts the EU's perspective, emphasizing the need for compliance to avoid financial punishment.
By explicitly mentioning the heavy fine and the protection of vulnerable groups, the report creates a sense of urgency and moral imperative, making the EU's demand seem both reasonable and necessary.
The africana_subsahariana report omits the detailed legal framework of the Digital Services Act and the specific charges, focusing instead on the threat of fines and the protection of children, which may oversimplify the regulatory process.
The European Commission accuses Meta of designing platforms that create addiction, using the language of public health crisis. The report sides with the EU, portraying Meta as a negligent actor that must be stopped.
By comparing the design to heavy drugs and using terms like 'violation' and 'addiction', the report amplifies the moral outrage and frames the issue as a serious threat to well-being, making regulatory action seem urgent and justified.
The europea_continentale report omits any mention of Meta's potential counterarguments or the technical details of the Digital Services Act, focusing instead on the emotional impact and the EU's protective role.
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