The European Commission has escalated pressure on Meta, demanding substantial changes to Facebook and Instagram. According to an official communication released Thursday, features such as autoplay, infinite scroll, and highly personalized content recommendations were deemed potentially addictive. The EU believes Meta did not adequately assess the risks of these features for the physical and mental well-being of users, including minors and vulnerable adults.
The Commission stressed that autoplay and infinite scroll push the brain into an automatic browsing mode, fostering unhealthy habits and compulsive use of the platforms. This preliminary decision could lead to very high fines if Meta does not comply within a set deadline. Sanctions could reach up to 6% of global annual turnover, as provided by the Digital Services Act (DSA).
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The incriminated features and their impact on users
Autoplay videos and infinite scrolling are designed to keep users on the platform as long as possible, increasing view time and ad exposure. However, independent studies have shown that these mechanisms can alter behavior, reducing self-regulation and causing addiction. The Commission highlighted that Meta did not provide an adequate risk assessment before implementing these features, thus violating DSA obligations.
The European Commission's previous action against Meta
This is not the first time the EU has targeted Meta's practices. Previously, the European Commission accused Meta of compulsive design on Facebook and Instagram in violation of the DSA. This new initiative represents an escalation in the regulation of digital platforms, with potential repercussions across the tech sector.
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What will change for users
If Meta complies, users might see the end of automatic video playback and infinite post loading. Instead, more granular controls could be introduced to choose when to watch a video or load new content. Personalized recommendations might become less intrusive, with greater control over privacy and the data used to generate them. The company might also be required to offer options to completely disable these features.
Possible sanctions and Meta's reaction
Fines under the DSA can reach astronomical figures. Meta could face up to 4 billion euros, considering global revenue. The company has announced it is cooperating with the Commission to find a solution, but has not yet made official statements on possibly altering the contested features. According to sources close to the company, Meta is considering introducing an "attention mode" that limits infinite scrolling at the user's request.
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The EU intervention is part of a broader regulatory landscape for digital platforms. Global operations like Interpol's First Light 2026 show how authorities are collaborating to combat digital crimes, while European regulation aims to protect citizens from negative technology effects.
For a deeper understanding of the DSA, refer to the Wikipedia page on the Digital Services Act. It remains to be seen whether Meta can balance profit with user well-being, or if the EU will be forced to impose exemplary fines.
