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The European Commission is preparing preliminary findings that formally accuse Meta's Facebook and Instagram of using addictive design to keep children hooked, according to sources cited by Bloomberg Source: thenextweb. The probe, opened in May 2024 under the Digital Services Act (DSA), targets features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and constant notifications that critics say create a "rabbit-hole effect" Source: cna.
Regulators have not set a date for the announcement, and proceedings remain confidential. Meta has not commented, and a Commission spokesperson declined to respond Source: thenextweb. This case is separate from an earlier DSA charge in April, where the EU accused Meta of failing to block children under 13 from its platforms Source: cna.
If the findings are upheld, Meta could face a fine of up to 6% of annual global sales. The company will have an opportunity to defend itself and propose remedies before any penalty is imposed Source: thenextweb. The DSA has already generated fines against X (€120 million) and Temu (€200 million) Source: thenextweb.
The EU action is part of a global crackdown on children's online safety. The UK is preparing an under-16 social media ban, and Australia enacted one last year. In the US, Meta faces thousands of lawsuits from families and school districts, with a Los Angeles jury recently finding Meta and Google liable for design harm . The Commission is also awaiting an expert panel's recommendations next month on possible age limits .
“The European Commission is preparing preliminary findings that accuse Facebook and Instagram of using addictive design on children”
“The European Commission is preparing preliminary findings that accuse Meta’s Facebook and Instagram of using design practices that keep young users hooked”
“The Commission opened the investigation in May 2024 under the Digital Services Act, the EU’s content rulebook.”
“The commission first opened a probe into the company under the Digital Services Act in May 2024, due to concerns it had not adequately addressed risks to children.”