EU threatens Meta with fines over addictive features on Facebook and Instagram

The European Commission announced Friday that Meta must overhaul addictive design features on Facebook and Instagram or face a fine. The tech giant is in breach of the Digital Services Act by focusing on features like infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation algorithms, the Commission said.

The Commission claims these features fuel the user's urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into "autopilot mode," which contributes to unhealthy habits and compulsive use. It found that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the addictive design of its platforms to users' physical and mental wellbeing, including minors and vulnerable adults.

Additionally, the Commission accused Meta of ignoring evidence about the amount of time minors spend on Instagram and Facebook at night and how features like Reels and Stories could encourage excessive or compulsive use of the platforms. "Evidence also shows that Meta’s current mitigation measures failed to effectively tackle the risks stemming from its addictive design," the Commission wrote.

The Commission is calling on Meta to disable key addictive features, such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, and to introduce effective screen-time breaks, as well as modify its recommendation algorithm to make it less focused on user engagement.

The findings are not final, and Meta will now have the opportunity to review the evidence against it and submit a formal response. If the Commission’s findings are confirmed, Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover.