The European Commission said it is taking regulatory action under the Digital Services Act after finding that certain product design choices on Facebook and Instagram can be harmful by encouraging compulsive use. It pointed specifically to features including autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, and highly personalized recommendations that increase the likelihood users keep engaging with content.
The Commission said Meta must address these risks with changes that reduce engagement-driven behavior. It called for turning off autoplay and infinite scroll by default, adding effective screen-time breaks, and modifying the recommendation system so it is less focused on maximizing engagement.
Meta can challenge the Commission’s preliminary findings, and the company has previously argued it already takes steps to protect teens. If the Commission’s findings are upheld, it could move toward a non-compliance decision that carries the possibility of a substantial fine—up to a percentage of Meta’s global annual turnover.
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