Disable auto-play and infinite scroll or risk massive fines, EU tells Meta
Summary
The European Union has found that Meta’s features like auto-play and infinite scroll make Facebook and Instagram addictive, harming users including minors. The EU wants Meta to disable these features or face fines up to 6% of its global revenue under new digital laws.Key Facts
- The European Commission (EC) says Meta did not properly assess addiction risks from features on Facebook and Instagram.
- Auto-play, infinite scroll, and personalized content push users to keep scrolling in a way that can harm their mental and physical health.
- Meta disagrees with the EU’s findings and says it has taken steps to protect teens, such as Teen Accounts with parental controls and screen time limits.
- The EC says these measures are not enough because they require parents to know how to use them well.
- The EU wants Meta to turn off addictive features by default, add breaks from screen time, and change content recommendations to show less engaging content.
- If Meta does not comply, it could be fined up to 6% of its annual global income.
- The EU’s Digital Services Act allows the Commission to enforce rules to protect the public from addictive online designs.
- Meta is also facing a US lawsuit from 29 states claiming its platforms harm kids, with a trial set for August and potential fines of up to $1.4 trillion.
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