The European Commission has warned Meta that its platforms risk massive fines if they do not disable addictive features like auto-play and infinite scroll. The EU’s preliminary findings suggest that Meta’s design negatively impacts users’ mental and physical health, particularly for minors and vulnerable adults. The EC’s investigation found that these features fuel users’ urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into 'autopilot mode,' contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use. Meta has been given time to dispute the claims, but the EC emphasized that its current mitigation efforts, including time management tools, 'failed to effectively tackle the risks stemming from its addictive design.'
Meta’s spokesperson, Ben Walters, disagreed with the EC’s preliminary findings, stating that the company had already taken significant steps to protect teens, including Teen Accounts that automatically protect minors and allow parents to control screen time. However, the EC noted that these measures are only effective if parents and guardians possess adequate technical expertise and dedicate effort to understand them. The EC recommended that Meta disable key addictive features by default, implement effective screen time breaks, and adapt its recommender system to be less engagement-oriented.
The EC’s findings are part of its broader enforcement of the Digital Services Act, which aims to hold platforms accountable for the addictive design of their services. Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s tech chief, stated that the EU is fully committed to enforcing its legislation and will not back down if the final decision reiterates the preliminary findings. The potential fines could reach up to 6 percent of Meta’s global annual turnover if the company fails to comply with the EU’s demands.
Source: arstechnica
