EU Warns Meta Over Addictive Social Media Features

The European Commission has charged Meta Platforms' Instagram and Facebook with breaking EU tech regulations. Regulators are targeting specific features, including autoplay and infinite scroll, which they claim are designed to keep users engaged for extended periods. Meta now faces potential fines if changes are not implemented.

Credit: UNSPLASH

The charges stem from a two-year investigation conducted under the EU's Digital Services Act. This legislation mandates large online platforms to increase their efforts in addressing illegal and harmful content. Social media companies globally are facing heightened scrutiny due to concerns about their impact on youth mental health.

The Commission stated that Meta had not sufficiently assessed the risks associated with personalised recommendations, autoplay, and infinite scroll. These features continuously present users with new content, potentially encouraging prolonged or compulsive usage. Reels and stories on Facebook and Instagram were specifically cited as contributing factors.

The regulator also expressed dissatisfaction with Meta's proposed mitigation measures. It indicated that time management tools could be easily dismissed by users. Furthermore, parental controls were deemed to require considerable time, effort, and technical expertise to be used effectively.

The Commission has outlined specific requirements for Meta. These include disabling features like autoplay and infinite scroll by default. The organisation must also introduce effective screen-time breaks and modify its recommendation system to reduce its focus on maximising user engagement.

Meta has indicated disagreement with the preliminary findings. A spokesperson for Meta stated that the charges did not accurately reflect the steps taken to protect teenagers. The company highlighted its implementation of Teen Accounts, which automatically provide protections and parental controls, such as the ability to restrict access at night and limit daily screen time to 15 minutes. Meta plans to continue discussions with EU regulators.

The EU's tech chief confirmed the commission's stance, stating that the current design is considered too addictive and requires alterations. The next phase will involve either Meta modifying its platform or the issuance of a non-compliance decision. Meta could face a fine equivalent to 6% of its global annual turnover if found to be in breach.

The company recently failed in an attempt to dismiss similar claims made by 29 U.S. state attorneys general. These legal challenges allege that Facebook and Instagram contribute to child addiction. The EU's actions against Meta are comparable to those taken against TikTok in February, where similar feature modifications were demanded.

The Commission is also conducting separate investigations into the "rabbit hole" effects of Facebook and Instagram's recommendation systems. These systems, through algorithmic recommendations, can draw users into prolonged viewing sessions by presenting them with similar content. In another ongoing case, Meta has been directed to improve measures aimed at preventing children under 13 from accessing its social networks. A report on social media usage by teenagers is also expected, which may influence future policy decisions.

• The European Commission has formally charged Meta Platforms with violating EU tech rules concerning Instagram and Facebook.

• Regulators are focused on features like autoplay and infinite scroll, which they believe encourage addictive usage patterns.

• Meta has been instructed to make specific changes, including disabling certain features by default and introducing better screen-time management tools.

• The company risks significant fines if it fails to comply with the Commission's directives.

• These actions are part of a broader trend of increased regulatory scrutiny on major online platforms regarding their impact on users, particularly young people.

Source: Reuters