EU threatens Meta with fines over addictive Facebook and Instagram
The European Union has threatened Meta Platforms with significant fines, potentially billions of euros, if the company fails to address the 'addictive' design of Facebook and Instagram, particularly concerning younger users.
BRUSSELS – The European Union has warned Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of significant fines, potentially amounting to billions of euros, if it does not take action to address the 'addictive' design of its social media platforms.
The European Commission has issued Meta with a deadline to act, citing suspicions of violations under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission is concerned that the algorithms and features employed in the design of Facebook and Instagram may foster addiction and harm younger users.
The Commission's preliminary assessment suggests that Meta has not adequately complied with DSA requirements concerning risk assessment and the mitigation of harmful content. Specifically, the Commission suspects Meta has not sufficiently evaluated or addressed potential psychological harms, such as dependency and anxiety, that its platforms might cause.
Failure by Meta to meet the Commission's demands within the specified timeframe could result in penalties that may reach up to 6% of the company's global annual revenue. This threat of fines highlights a growing scrutiny on technology firms regarding their responsibility for harmful content and usage patterns on their online services.