Instagram features deemed addictive, EU threatens Meta with fines

The European Union is pressuring Meta to overhaul features on its social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, warning of potential fines if the company fails to curb addictive design elements. The European Commission announced last week that Meta is in violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) due to its reliance on features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and highly personalized recommendation algorithms.

According to the Commission, these features are designed to maximize user engagement, pushing users into an "autopilot mode" that fosters unhealthy usage habits and compulsive behavior. The EU body argues that Meta has not adequately assessed the risks these addictive designs pose to the mental and physical well-being of its users, including children and vulnerable adults.

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The evidence also shows that the mitigation measures currently implemented by Meta fail to address the risks posed by the addictive design of its platforms.

Furthermore, the Commission accuses Meta of ignoring evidence regarding the excessive time minors spend on its platforms, especially at night, and how features like Reels and Stories contribute to problematic usage. The EU body also contends that Meta's current mitigation measures, such as time management tools, are easily bypassed and ineffective in controlling or reducing usage time.

Meta has been asked to disable addictive features like autoplay and infinite scroll by default, implement effective screen time breaks, and modify its algorithms to reduce their focus on maximizing engagement. While these findings are preliminary, Meta has the opportunity to review the evidence and respond. If the investigation confirms the violations, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

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The evidence also shows that the mitigation measures currently implemented by Meta fail to address the risks posed by the addictive design of its platforms.