The European Commission's preliminary investigation found that Meta violated the Digital Services Act due to Instagram and Facebook's addictive design patterns. Regulators determined the company failed to properly assess the risks these interfaces pose to the physical and mental well-being of minors and vulnerable adults.
Personalized recommendations, autoplay video, and infinite scroll were specifically cited by authorities as mechanisms that encourage continuous browsing and put the brain on autopilot. The Commission also found that existing parental controls and screen time management tools are ineffective or too complex for guardians to use.
The EU proposes that Meta disable infinite scroll and autoplay by default, while adjusting recommendation algorithms to prioritize engagement less aggressively. The investigation, which began in May 2024, now moves to a defense phase where Meta can formally respond. If the preliminary finding becomes final, the company faces fines up to 6% of annual global revenue—potentially 12 billion dollars based on 2025 earnings. This scrutiny mirrors pressure from the United States, where Meta faces trial in August over digital addiction claims. The EU is also considering strict restrictions on youth access to social networks.
