EU threatens Meta with fines over 'addictive' Facebook and Instagram

The European Commission has warned Meta that it could be fined up to 6% of its total global annual turnover if it does not adjust design elements on Facebook and Instagram that are deemed addictive. In its preliminary findings, the Commission said features such as infinite scroll, autoplaying videos and personalised recommendations may encourage “compulsive use,” particularly among children and teenagers. A spokesperson for the tech giant told the BBC it disagreed with the findings "which don't accurately instrumentality into relationship the important steps we've taken to support teens". The Commission also stated that the endless stream of content “shift the encephalon into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits.” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said, "Protecting the carnal and intelligence wellness of Europeans indispensable beryllium a precedence for societal media platforms". The Commission argued that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the way Facebook and Instagram were designed, including how long children spend on the platforms, especially at night. It raised concerns about Reels and Stories, claiming they could lead to excessive use and that Meta’s safeguards do not go far enough. The Commission noted that time‑management tools on Facebook and Instagram, including those enabled by default for teenagers, can be dismissed and do not meaningfully reduce usage. It also criticised Meta’s parental controls, saying they are only effective if parents have the time and technical expertise to understand and use them properly. Meta responded that it has introduced Teen Accounts that "automatically support teens and enactment parents successful power - allowing them to artifact entree to Instagram astatine nighttime and headdress regular surface clip astatine conscionable 15 minutes".