EU says ‘addictive’ features on Instagram and Facebook breach its rules

Following a two-year investigation, the European Commission has concluded that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has violated the bloc's Digital Services Act through intentional platform design choices that promote addictive user behavior. The preliminary findings identify specific features—including autoplay video functionality, algorithmically personalized content recommendations, and infinite scrolling mechanisms—as elements that trigger what regulators describe as an "autopilot mode" in users' brains, fostering unhealthy consumption patterns. The Commission asserts that Meta failed to adequately evaluate the physical and mental health risks posed by these platforms, particularly concerning younger users. Regulators have mandated that Meta modify default settings to disable infinite scrolling and video autoplay while reducing the degree of algorithmic personalization delivered to users. Meta has disputed the findings, contending that it has already implemented protective measures for younger users. According to legal analysis, the situation presents a fundamental challenge to Meta's business model, as the company's revenue generation depends heavily on user engagement driven by these contested features. The potential financial penalty could reach six percent of Meta's annual revenue if the company fails to comply with the final determination expected within months.