EU Commission flags Meta over addictive design of Instagram and Facebook

The European Commission released preliminary conclusions that Meta has breached the Digital Services Act by embedding features such as infinite scroll, autoplay video, push notifications and highly personalised recommendation algorithms that encourage compulsive use, especially among minors. The Commission demands that Meta redesign Instagram and Facebook to disable these functions by default, introduce effective usage pauses and adjust algorithms to prioritise user well‑being. It warned that non‑compliance could lead to a fine of up to 6 % of Meta’s global revenue, potentially exceeding $12 billion. Meta has said it disagrees with the findings and will submit its response before a final decision is taken. A Commission official said, “protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social‑media platforms.”