The European Commission says it is requiring Meta to change features on Facebook and Instagram that the EU considers “addictive” for users. In its position, the Commission argues Meta is breaching obligations under EU rules by presenting engagement-focused design elements as default settings. The Commission specifically points to product design tools such as autoplay and infinite scroll—features that can continuously display new content without user prompts.
The Commission’s demand is that Meta implement design changes so these features are not turned on by default, and that users are given options that reduce the automatic, continuous consumption of content. The EU action follows a broader approach by regulators to limit practices they view as encouraging compulsive use and to increase user control.
Meta has not been described in the provided excerpts as agreeing or disputing the EU’s characterization. The situation centers on whether Meta’s current platform defaults comply with EU social media and consumer protection requirements, and what changes the company must make in response to the regulator’s order.
