addictive features — The European Commission has issued a warning to Meta regarding the addictive design of its Facebook and Instagram platforms, finding them in breach of the Digital Services Act.
- The European Commission has issued a warning to Meta regarding the addictive design of its Facebook and Instagram platforms, finding them in breach of the Digital Services Act.
- Further findings indicate that the mitigation measures Meta has attempted to implement have been largely ineffective in addressing the risks posed by these design choices.
- This regulatory action reflects the European Commission's dedication to establishing stringent standards for digital services, aiming to reduce systemic risks for users.
This preliminary finding, announced on Friday, focuses on specific features that contribute to user addiction, including infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications, as well as the platforms’ highly personalised recommender systems.
According to the commission’s investigation, Meta has not adequately assessed the risks associated with these addictive features, particularly concerning the physical and mental wellbeing of users. This oversight is especially concerning for minors and vulnerable adults who frequently engage with the platforms.
Further findings indicate that the mitigation measures Meta has attempted to implement have been largely ineffective in addressing the risks posed by these design choices.
Henna Virkkunen, the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, emphasised the importance of prioritising user health. “Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms,” she stated. She further noted that the Digital Services Act offers a robust framework to hold platforms accountable for their design and its effects.
Virkkunen reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing the legislation across Europe, underlining the ongoing effort to ensure that technology companies prioritise user safety through improved corporate governance and transparency.
This regulatory action reflects the European Commission’s dedication to establishing stringent standards for digital services, aiming to reduce systemic risks for users.
