Portuguese group D3 sues Meta, TikTok, and YouTube over addictive design

The Portuguese digital rights group D3 has filed four collective lawsuits in Lisbon’s Civil Court against Meta, TikTok, and YouTube. The legal actions accuse the platforms of utilizing addictive design features intended to keep users engaged for extended periods.

Specific features cited in the lawsuits include infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, persistent notifications, and highly personalized recommendation systems. D3 argues that by removing natural breaks in usage and creating behavioral feedback loops, these platforms employ techniques similar to those used in the gambling industry.

In response to the litigation, a spokesperson for Alphabet stated that providing a “safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work,” noting existing tools like “take a break” reminders. Meta and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawsuits follow a growing trend of international legal challenges regarding social media design and user safety.