- European Commission found Meta's apps are addictive in nature and fail to implement mitigation tools.
- While the report is preliminary, the commission recommends Meta disable addictive features and add screen time breaks.
- Meta faces potential fines up to 6% of its global revenue if it doesn't comply.
The European Commission released its preliminary findings of its investigation into Meta’s Facebook and Instagram. In a press release dated July 9, the commission said the addictive nature of the apps is “in breach of the Digital Services Act,” and Meta could face fines if it doesn’t make changes.
What is the Digital Services Act?
The Digital Services Act is a piece of legislation that the European Union put adopted by the EU in 2022 and became fully enforceable in February 2024. The act “emerged from mounting concerns regarding increasing platform influence over society, democratic processes and individual rights," and it created a “regulatory framework” for social media.
“The regulation’s primary objective is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online while combating the spread of disinformation,” its website says.
The investigation into Meta began on May 16, 2024, to see if the company’s apps comply with the European law.
The findings
The commission said the investigation found that “Meta did not adequately assess the risks of its addictive design on the physical and mental well-being of users, including minors and vulnerable adults,” per the press release.
It pointed to features of the apps like “highly personalized recommendations, autoplay and infinite scroll” as inducing “unhealthy habits and compulsive use.” It also mentioned push notifications.
The release also said, “Meta disregarded available information about the time minors spend on Instagram or Facebook at night.”
The commission found that Instagram and Facebook did have a few mitigation features put in place, like time management tools, but they could “be easily dismissed and do not lead to a meaningful reduction and control of the usage of the service.” There are also tools parents could activate for their child’s account, but they require “technical expertise, as well as devote effort and time to understand them effectively.”
“At this stage of the investigation, the commission considers that Meta needs to implement design changes to both Instagram and Facebook,” it said. The commission suggested disabling autoplay and infinite scroll and adding “screen time breaks.”
The findings are preliminary and “do not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.”
What’s next?
The press release said Meta can now examine the findings of the investigation and defend itself in writing to the commission.
The release concluded that “the European Board for Digital Services will be consulted,” and if the evidence from the investigation is confirmed, the commission will be able to fine Meta up to “6% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the provider.”