Meta's Instagram and Facebook violate EU law with 'addictive' design, Commission finds

The European Commission has issued a preliminary finding that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is violating EU legislation through the "addictive design" of its social media platforms. An investigation launched in May 2024 concluded that Meta inadequately assessed the risks posed by its platforms' addictive features on the physical and mental well-being of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. Features such as highly personalized recommendations, autoplay videos, and infinite scrolling are cited as elements that "feed the user's urge to keep scrolling and move the brain into automatic-pilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use." The Commission also noted that Meta ignored available information regarding the time minors spend on Instagram or Facebook overnight. This is an interim conclusion, and Meta has the opportunity to present its defense. If the Commission maintains its position, the U.S. tech giant could face fines up to 6% of its total worldwide annual revenue, which was approximately $201 billion in 2025. The Commission's action is based on the Digital Services Act, designed to protect citizens' fundamental rights in the digital sphere.

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the risks of its addictive design for the physical and mental well-being of users, including minors and vulnerable adults, have not been adequately assessed