The EU was announced on Friday that Meta must overhaul the addictive design features of Facebook and Instagram or face a fine. The tech giant is violating the Digital Services Act by focusing on features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalized recommendation algorithms, the European Commission said.
The Commission says these features fuel the user’s urge to keep scrolling and put 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 the physical and mental well-being of users, including minors and vulnerable adults.
The Commission also accused Meta of ignoring data about how much 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.
“The evidence also shows that Meta’s current mitigation measures have failed to effectively address the risks posed by its addictive design,” the Commission wrote. “For example, Instagram and Facebook’s time management tools, including those enabled by default for teenagers, can be easily overlooked and do not result in meaningful reduction and control of service use.”
It calls on Meta to disable key addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, and introduce effective screen time breaks, as well as tweak its recommendation algorithm to focus less on user engagement.
The findings are not final and Meta will now have the opportunity to review the evidence against him and file a formal response. If the Commission’s findings are upheld, Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover.
Meta did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.
Friday’s announcement marks the second time this year that the EU Commission has found Meta to be in breach of its laws. In April, the Commission found that Meta was failing to prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram.
Meta is also facing scrutiny in the US for failing to protect young users on its platforms. Most recently, Meta told a court on Monday that four US states are asking for $1.4 trillion to penalties over allegations that the tech giant designed Facebook and Instagram to get young users addicted and that it misled the public about the safety of the platforms.
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