Instagram and Facebook likely to require redesign after EU rules ‘addictive’

Meta violates the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a preliminary investigation has found, into the “addictive” design of Instagram and Facebook. It will likely have to redesign both apps and could face a fine of up to $12 billion.

the The European Commission said Meta “did not adequately assess the risks of its addictive design to the physical and mental health of users, including minors and vulnerable adults.” He singled out features such as personalized recommendations, autoplay, and infinite scrolling, arguing that they “feed the user’s desire to keep scrolling and switch the brain into ‘autopilot mode’.”

The report also criticizes the tools Meta provides to help limit users’ usage. She says time management tools can easily be dismissed; Parental controls require technical expertise, effort, and time on the part of parents to be effective; Meta’s mental health awareness measures are too limited to mitigate the risks.

Meta may have to redesign both Facebook and Instagram, according to the commission. He suggests disabling features like autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implementing effective screen time breaks, and making the recommendation algorithm “less engagement-oriented.”

European Commission investigation Started in May 2024and separately evaluates Meta’s age verification tools and content protection for minors. Meta will now have the opportunity to defend itself, but if the Commission’s decision is made final, Zuck and Co. could face a loss. A non-compliance fine of up to 6 percent of its annual worldwide sales. in 2025 That was $200.97 billion, meaning a potential fine of up to $12 billion.

The decision comes from the European Union Implementation is considered A comprehensive ban on social media for those under the age of 16, with a report from the European Commission on the subject due next Monday. In August, dead He faces trial in the United States On whether its apps are intentionally addictive, with four states reportedly pushing for combined penalties of up to $1.4 trillion.

“Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms,” said Hina Virkkonen, head of technology policy at the Commission. “The Digital Services Act provides a clear framework for holding platforms accountable for the addictive design and impacts of their services. We are fully committed to enforcing our legislation in Europe.”