EU Accuses Meta of Violating Digital Services Act with Addictive Design on Instagram and Facebook
The European Commission issued preliminary findings that Meta’s Instagram and Facebook violate the EU’s Digital Services Act due to addictive design features—including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendations—that harm users’ physical and mental well-being, especially minors. The Commission demands default deactivation of these features and better parental controls. Meta can respond; if confirmed, it faces fines up to 6% of global turnover. Similar probes target TikTok.
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EU Commission Accuses Meta of Violating Digital Services Act with Addictive Design on Instagram and Facebook
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta's platforms Facebook and Instagram violate the EU's Digital Services Act through addiction-promoting design features. The Commission, which has been investigating Meta since 2024, identified risks from automatic video playback, push notifications, and personalized algorithms that encourage prolonged user engagement. It stated that Meta failed to adequately assess these risks, including not analyzing nighttime usage data for minors, and that existing measures like time management tools and parental controls are insufficient or easily circumvented. Meta disputed the findings, arguing that its Teen Accounts and other protections were not properly considered. If the preliminary findings are confirmed and Meta does not comply, the Commission can impose fines of up to 6% of Meta's global annual turnover, which was $201 billion in 2025. The case highlights ongoing EU efforts to regulate large online platforms and protect users, especially minors, from addictive digital environments.
taz.de - taz.deEU Commission Accuses Meta of Violating Digital Services Act with Addictive Design on Instagram and Facebook
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings accusing Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, of violating the EU's Digital Services Act through addiction-promoting design features. The Commission identified concerns including automatic video playback, push notifications, and personalized algorithms that encourage prolonged user engagement, particularly harming minors. Meta is accused of failing to adequately assess risks, such as not including nighttime usage data for minors in its risk reports, and implementing insufficient mitigation measures like easily circumvented time management tools. Meta disputes the findings, citing its Teen Accounts feature for parental control. If confirmed, Meta could face fines up to 6% of its global annual turnover, which was $201 billion in 2025. The company now has an opportunity to review and respond to the preliminary results before a final decision.
taz.de - taz.deEU Commission Slams Meta's Addictive Design of Facebook and Instagram as Breaching Digital Services Act
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta's design features on Facebook and Instagram, including infinite scroll, autoplay, and personalized recommendations, violate the EU's Digital Services Act. The Commission alleges Meta failed to properly assess addiction risks and lacks effective mitigation measures such as screen-time tools and parental controls. If the findings hold, Meta could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover, potentially reaching €11 billion based on 2025 revenue of €176 billion. The investigation targets compulsive use, sleep deprivation, and mental health harms. Meta has previously been fined by the EU for non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act and Facebook Marketplace practices. The company has 270 million users in the EU.
EUobserverEU Commission Slams Meta's Addictive Design of Facebook and Instagram as Breaching Digital Services Act
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings accusing Meta of breaching the EU's Digital Services Act through deliberately addictive design features on Facebook and Instagram. The investigation highlights features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and personalized recommendations that fuel compulsive use, sleep deprivation, and mental health risks. The Commission found Meta failed to properly assess addiction risks and lacked effective mitigation measures, including inadequate screen-time tools and parental controls. If the preliminary breach holds, Meta could face a fine of up to six percent of its global annual turnover, potentially reaching €11 billion based on its 2025 revenue of €176 billion. Meta has previously faced EU fines totaling €200 million in April 2025 for Digital Markets Act non-compliance and a €797 million fine in 2024 for Facebook Marketplace malpractice. The company reaches 270 million users in the EU, over half the continent's population.
EUobserverEU Commission Slams Meta's Addictive Design of Facebook and Instagram as Breaching Digital Services Act
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta's design features on Facebook and Instagram, including infinite scroll, autoplay, and personalized recommendations, violate the EU's Digital Services Act. The Commission argues these features are deliberately addictive, leading to compulsive use, sleep deprivation, and mental health risks, and that Meta failed to properly assess or mitigate these risks. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated there are no effective screen-time tools, awareness measures, or parental controls. If the findings hold, Meta could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover, potentially reaching €11 billion based on its 2025 revenue of €176 billion. Meta has 270 million users in the EU. The EU has previously fined Meta €200 million in April 2025 for Digital Markets Act non-compliance and €797 million in 2024 for Facebook Marketplace malpractice.
EUobserverEU Orders Meta to Remove Addictive Features Like Infinite Scroll from Facebook and Instagram
The European Commission has ordered Meta to make major design changes to Facebook and Instagram, specifically disabling 'addictive design' elements such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and highly personalized recommendations. The EU's executive body stated that its investigation found Meta failed to adequately assess the risks of these features on the physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. The order is the latest regulatory action under the Digital Services Act, and Meta faces heavy fines if it does not comply. The story is still developing.
Forbes - BusinessEU finds Meta's Instagram and Facebook designs breach digital laws over addictiveness
The European Commission issued a preliminary report on July 10, 2026, concluding that Meta's Instagram and Facebook violate the EU's Digital Services Act due to 'addictive' design features. These include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation systems that keep users, particularly minors and vulnerable adults, in 'autopilot mode.' The Commission accused Meta of failing to assess risks to users' physical well-being and not mitigating excessive use, especially at night. Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its annual turnover if the findings are confirmed. Meta disagreed with the findings, stating it has taken significant steps such as introducing Teen Accounts with parental controls and screen time limits. This is the second EU breach finding against Meta in 2026, following an April ruling on underage access. The company also faced two U.S. court rulings in March linking its platform design to youth addiction and mental health harms.
US Top News and AnalysisEU demands Facebook, Instagram dismantle design features it calls addictive for users
The European Commission has formally accused Meta of violating the EU's Digital Services Act by designing Facebook and Instagram with addictive features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay videos. The Commission's preliminary findings state that Meta failed to properly assess the risks these features pose to users' physical and mental health, particularly minors. It demands that Meta disable these features by default and implement design changes, including better screen-time break prompts and less engagement-oriented content recommendations. Meta has the opportunity to respond before a final decision, which could result in a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue. Meta responded by highlighting its Teen Accounts, which automatically protect teens and allow parental controls. The EU executive vice-president emphasized the bloc's commitment to enforcing legislation that holds platforms accountable for addictive design.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.EU Report: Instagram and Facebook Pose Addiction Risk for Children; Commission Demands Action from Meta
An EU investigation has preliminarily concluded that Instagram and Facebook pose too great a risk of addiction for children and adolescents. The European Commission criticizes features such as highly personalized recommendations, automatic video playback, and endless scrolling, which it says encourage compulsive use. The Commission has advanced proceedings against Meta, the parent company, and demands changes to platform functionalities, including default deactivation of addictive features and introduction of effective screen breaks. If Meta fails to refute the allegations or make changes, it faces a fine of up to 6% of annual turnover, potentially exceeding 12 billion euros. The report also notes parallel proceedings against TikTok and comes amid a broader EU debate on social media bans and minimum age requirements. An expert commission appointed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to give recommendations on the topic.
Nachrichten - WELTMeta Found in Breach of EU Digital Laws Over Addictive Instagram and Facebook Designs
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings stating that Meta is in breach of the EU's Digital Services Act due to 'addictive' design features on Instagram and Facebook. These features, including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation systems, are said to inadequately consider risks to users' physical well-being, particularly minors and vulnerable adults. If confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its total annual turnover. Meta has disputed the findings, highlighting its rollout of Teen Accounts with parental controls and screen time limits, and expressed willingness to continue engaging with the Commission. The story is breaking and may be updated.
US Top News and AnalysisEU Commission Says Meta's Instagram and Facebook Violate Digital Services Act with Addictive Design
The European Commission issued a preliminary finding on Friday that Meta's social networks, Instagram and Facebook, violate the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) due to addictive design features. The investigation, ongoing since May 2024, focuses on child safety concerns. The Commission specifically cited features such as highly personalized content recommender systems, infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications, which it says encourage excessive screen time and shift users' brains into 'autopilot mode.' The Commission also found Meta's teen accounts and parental control tools insufficient, noting default settings can be easily dismissed and controls are hard to find. Meta is now required to propose design changes, including disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default and making content recommenders less engagement-oriented. If confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover. Meta has disagreed with the findings but said it will continue engaging with the Commission. This follows similar DSA probes into TikTok for unlawful addictive design.
EuractivEU Commission Says Meta's Instagram and Facebook Violate Digital Services Act with Addictive Design
The European Commission issued a preliminary finding on Friday stating that Meta's social networks Instagram and Facebook violate the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) due to addictive design features. The investigation, ongoing since May 2024, focuses on child safety concerns. The Commission specifically called out features like highly personalized content recommenders, infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications, which it says encourage excessive screen time and shift the brain into autopilot mode. It also found Meta's digital tools for curbing addiction—such as time management and parental controls—to be insufficient and difficult to use. The Commission is demanding design changes, including disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default and making recommender systems less engagement-oriented. Meta has the opportunity to respond; if the findings are confirmed, it could face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover. This follows similar DSA probes into TikTok and earlier findings on Meta's failure to keep under-13s off its platforms.
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