EU preliminarily finds Meta breaches law over ‘addictive’ Instagram and Facebook design

Brussels says Meta failed to properly assess or mitigate risks posed by infinite scroll, autoplay, and more

Meta has been warned by the European Commission that its endlessly scrolling Facebook and Instagram feeds may violate the EU's new Digital Services Act rules. In preliminary findings published on Friday, the Commission said that its investigation into features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommender systems, found that Meta "did not adequately assess the risks of their addictive design on the physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults." From the press release: These features fuel the user's urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into 'autopilot mode,' contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use. Moreover, Meta disregarded available information about the time minors spend on Instagram or Facebook at night and how the optimization of its different formats – such as reels and stories – could lead to excessive or compulsive use of the services.The Commission additionally criticized Meta's risk mitigation measures, saying that the platforms' time management tools could be easily dismissed and don't meaningfully limit the time users spend on the services. It also found fault with Meta's parental controls, which the Commission said were "only effective if parents and guardians possess adequate technical expertise, as well as devote effort and time to understand them." The Commission said that at this stage of its investigation, it believes Meta needs to make design changes to both Instagram and Facebook. These could include disabling addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introducing effective screen time breaks, and modifying its recommender system to make it less focused on driving engagement. Meta on Friday said it disagreed with the Commission's findings, claiming they "don't accurately take into account the significant steps we've taken to protect teens." The Commission said Meta now has the opportunity to exercise its right of defence by reviewing the documents in the investigation file and responding in writing to its preliminary findings. If those provisional conclusions are upheld, the company could face a fine of up to 6 percent of its global annual turnover.Tags: European Commission, European Union, Facebook, Instagram, MetaThis article, "EU: Facebook and Instagram's Infinite Scroll May Break Digital Rules" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

The European Commission's preliminary findings target infinite scroll, autoplay, and personalized recommendations, and could trigger a fine of up to 6% of Meta's global revenue

Regulators say features such as infinite scroll contribute to "compulsive use" and "unhealthy habits".

The European Commission has accused Meta Platforms' Instagram and Facebook of violating the European Union's technology rules, saying features such as autoplay, personalised recommendations and infinite scroll are designed to keep users engaged for longer periods.The preliminary findings came after a two-year investigation under the EU's Digital Services Act, which requires major online platforms to take greater responsibility for tackling illegal and harmful content.Regulators flag risks of excessive useThe EU's technology regulator said Meta had failed to properly assess the addictive risks linked to highly personalised recommendations, autoplay and infinite scroll, which continuously provide users with new content and encourage prolonged engagement, Reuters reported.It said features such as reels and stories on Facebook and Instagram could contribute to excessive or compulsive use.The Commission criticised Meta's steps to address these concerns, saying time management tools could be easily ignored, while parental controls required considerable time, effort and technical expertise to be used effectively.Meta asked to disable features by defaultThe Commission said Meta should disable autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introduce effective screen-time breaks and make its recommendation systems less focused on increasing user engagement."We disagree with these preliminary findings, which don't accurately take into account the significant steps we've taken to protect teens," Meta spokesperson Ben Walters said."Since this investigation began, we rolled out Teen Accounts that automatically protect teens and put parents in control - allowing them to block access to Instagram at night and cap ⁠daily screen time at just 15 minutes."Meta said it would continue to engage constructively with EU regulators."Our starting point is that, based on our findings, this design is too addictive and changes need to be made," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told Reuters.Meta faces possible 6% turnover fine"The next step is either that Meta changes its design or a non compliance decision will follow."Meta faces a possible fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover. The company can respond to the charges before the Commission issues a final decision in the coming months.The company last month failed in its attempt to dismiss claims by 29 US state attorneys general that Facebook and Instagram are addictive to children.Netflix Brings Back 30-Day Free Trial For Select New Users In India: Here's How To AvailThe EU's action against Meta follows similar measures against TikTok in February, when regulators demanded comparable changes to its app.Wider probe into social media risksThe Commission is separately investigating so-called rabbit hole effects linked to Facebook and Instagram recommendation systems, where users may be drawn into prolonged viewing through algorithms that push similar content.In another case announced in April, the Commission told Meta to do more to prevent children under 13 from accessing its social networks or face possible fines.The Commission is expected to receive findings from experts on Monday that could help pave the way for a Europe-wide social media ban for teenagers. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce the proposal in her September state of the union address.

The European Commission says Facebook's and Instagram's addictive designs violate the Digital Services Act.