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EU warns Meta it could face fines over Facebook and Instagram design
The European Commission preliminary findings cite design features including infinite scroll and autoplay videos, and warn penalties could reach up to 6% of Meta’s total global annual turnover if changes are not made.
The European Commission has warned Meta that it must change Facebook and Instagram’s design to address concerns that the platforms encourage compulsive use, particularly among children and teens, or face significant fines.
In its preliminary findings, the EU cited features such as infinite scroll, autoplaying videos, and personalised recommendations as potential drivers of unhealthy habits, with the Commission saying the endless stream can push users into “autopilot mode.”
The EU also said Meta did not adequately assess risks related to the way the apps are designed and how long children spend on the platforms, including at night, and it criticised default time-management tools and parental controls as insufficient.
Meta disagreed with the findings and said it has taken steps to protect teens, including Teen Accounts that block Instagram at night and cap daily screen time at 15 minutes; the company can now review the evidence and submit its formal response, while EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said protecting Europeans’ physical and mental health must be a priority for social media platforms.