Meta has been preliminarily found to have breached EU digital rules over what regulators call the “addictive design” of Facebook and Instagram.
European Commission officials said the company did not properly assess how its apps may affect users’ physical and mental wellbeing, including minors and vulnerable adults. Meta can contest the findings before regulators reach a final decision.
If regulators uphold the finding, Facebook and Instagram users in the EU could see changes to features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and personalized recommendations.
Why the EU considers Meta’s design addictive
Open Facebook or Instagram, and the feed can keep going for as long as someone keeps scrolling. Infinite scroll continually loads new posts, while autoplay starts another video without waiting for a tap.
Personalized recommendations fill each feed with content chosen from a user’s activity. Push notifications can bring someone back to the app after they have closed it.
Investigators said such features can keep people scrolling and place the brain in “autopilot mode,” contributing to compulsive use. EU officials also said Meta’s review did not fully account for minors’ late-night activity or how Reels and Stories may keep them on the apps longer.
Meta’s safeguards failed to convince regulators
Meta already offers screen-time tools and settings intended to limit overuse, including controls enabled by default for teenagers. Commission officials said users can dismiss the tools without substantially cutting their time on the apps.
Parental controls drew similar criticism. A senior Commission official told Euractiv that some settings “can be easily dismissed.” Parents may also need to be an “expert” to find or activate certain protections.
Safety tips and links to mental health resources also failed to satisfy Brussels because they do not limit the app features cited by regulators. Facebook’s parent company disputed the findings and said the Commission had overlooked protections introduced since the inquiry began.
“We share the European Commission’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive online experiences,” Meta said in an AP report. The social media giant also cited Teen Accounts, which allow parents to block Instagram at night and set daily screen-time limits as low as 15 minutes.
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Facebook and Instagram could work differently in the EU
The Digital Services Act allows fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue, although regulators determine the final amount based on factors such as the seriousness and duration of the violation. A confirmed breach could expose Meta to a fine of roughly $12.1 billion, based on its reported 2025 revenue of $200.97 billion.
Any final amount would depend on the seriousness, duration, and recurrence of the violation.
EU regulators could also order changes to Facebook and Instagram. Proposed remedies include switching off infinite scroll and autoplay by default. Screen-time breaks could become more difficult to dismiss, and recommendation systems could be adjusted to reduce their focus on engagement.
Meta has the right to review the Commission’s evidence and submit a written response. Members of the European Board for Digital Services will also be consulted before regulators issue a final decision. Since the finding remains preliminary, neither a penalty nor a mandatory redesign has been ordered.
Also read: Meta’s plans to build custom AI chips are accelerating as the company tries to cut costs and reduce its reliance on Nvidia and AMD.