European Commission demands changes to "addictive" features on Facebook and Instagram
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The European Commission has notified Meta that design elements such as infinite scroll and autoplay may violate the Digital Services Act. The company faces potential fines if it does not modify these features to mitigate risks for users.
Amalgamated from The Register (opens in new tab), Indian Express (opens in new tab), Times of India (opens in new tab), France 24 (opens in new tab)
The European Commission has notified Meta Platforms that it must modify specific design features on its Facebook and Instagram platforms which regulators characterize as "addictive." According to reports from France 24, the official notice focuses on mechanisms such as "infinite scroll" and "autoplay," which are designed to maintain user engagement.
Regulatory findings on platform design
The European Commission's actions are grounded in the Digital Services Act (DSA), a piece of European Union legislation that requires large online platforms to identify and mitigate risks related to their services. The Register reports that the Commission’s investigation found Meta failed to properly assess or mitigate the risks posed by these specific features. By failing to evaluate how automated content delivery impacts users, the commission contends that Meta did not meet its obligations under the DSA framework.
The Times of India and the Indian Express report that the European Commission has charged Meta with breaching digital laws because current platform designs keep users "hooked" on Instagram and Facebook. These reports indicate that regulators are specifically targeting how the interface architecture encourages prolonged usage. The focus is on ensuring that the design elements do not facilitate excessive consumption or other risks associated with high-engagement software.
Consequences for non-compliance
Meta faces potential fines if it does not comply with the demand to alter these features. The European Commission requires the company to modify its design to ensure it aligns with EU safety standards. These measures are part of a broader effort by Brussels to enforce transparency and risk mitigation across major technology providers operating within the European Union. While Meta has not issued a public statement regarding the specific demands, several news outlets report that the commission's ultimatum establishes a clear requirement for technical changes to its core user interface.
Why this matters
The case serves as a significant test of how the Digital Services Act will be enforced against major technology firms. A ruling in favor of regulators could establish a precedent for how "addictive" design elements are regulated across the European Union, potentially forcing broader changes to social media user interfaces.
What's confirmed / what isn't
Multiple sources confirm that the European Commission has identified "addictive" features like infinite scroll and autoplay on Facebook and Instagram and notified Meta of potential violations under the DSA. The specific amount of fines or a definitive timeline for compliance was not specified in current reports.
Background
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is an EU regulation that requires online platforms to assess and mitigate risks such as disinformation and harmful content. It specifically applies to very large online platforms (VLOPs), including those operated by Meta.