The European Commission has formally accused Meta of violating the European Union's digital regulations by designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that foster compulsive and addictive behaviour among users. In preliminary findings released on Friday, Brussels concluded that features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay video, push notifications, and personalised recommendation algorithms place users' brains on "autopilot," driving unhealthy habits and compulsive engagement — in breach of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), the bloc's sweeping rulebook that requires large online platforms to identify and mitigate risks to users' physical and mental health.
The Commission's investigation, opened in 2024, found that Meta had failed to properly assess the risks its design choices pose, particularly for minors. Key data — including how long teenagers were using the apps at night — was not included in the risk assessments the company is legally required to submit. Existing safeguards, such as screen time management tools and parental controls, were found to be ineffective: they can be easily dismissed or bypassed, and the parental controls are so technically complex that only those willing to invest considerable time and effort can meaningfully use them. The commission also criticised Meta for ignoring internal evidence showing that changes to features like reels and stories contributed to excessive use.
Brussels is now demanding that Meta implement significant design changes to both platforms. Under the proposed measures, autoplay of videos and infinite scroll would no longer be switched on by default. The commission is also calling for built-in screen time breaks and a reconfiguration of recommendation algorithms to make them less "engagement-oriented" — acknowledging explicitly that Meta's business model, which depends on maximising advertising exposure, creates a structural incentive to keep users scrolling as long as possible.
Meta pushed back against the preliminary conclusions, saying they do not adequately recognise steps the company has already taken. The company pointed to its "Teen Accounts" feature, rolled out since the investigation began, which it says automatically applies protections for younger users and gives parents the ability to restrict access or cap daily screen time. "We share the European Commission's commitment to providing teens with safe, positive online experiences," a company spokesperson said. Meta will now have the opportunity to formally respond before the Commission issues a final ruling. If the findings are upheld and the company fails to bring its platforms into compliance, it faces a fine of up to 6 percent of its global annual revenue — potentially exceeding €11 billion based on recent earnings figures.
Friday's announcement is part of a broader regulatory push in Europe. Earlier this year, the Commission found that Meta was not doing enough to stop children under 13 — the minimum age for Facebook and Instagram — from creating accounts, a separate matter that also carries potential fines. TikTok received similar criticism from the Commission in February over addictive design. The DSA represents one of the most assertive attempts by any jurisdiction to hold major social media platforms legally accountable for how their products are built, and the Meta case is shaping up as a critical test of its enforcement power.