Meta is currently under investigation by the European Commission regarding concerns that its design features on Instagram and Facebook are harmful and addictive. Preliminary findings released on Friday, 10 July, indicate that the US technology giant may be in breach of the Digital Services Act 2022, which was established to protect EU citizens from illegal content, scams, and broader internet harms.
The commission’s probe claims that Mark Zuckerberg’s company failed to adequately assess the risks of addiction associated with specific design choices, such as infinite scrolling and attention-capture mechanisms. Furthermore, regulators argue that the platform lacks effective mitigation measures to address these issues. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier emphasized the lack of functional tools, stating that there is no effective screen-time measurement, no adequate awareness-raising, and no effective parental control mechanism.
According to the commission, personalized recommendations and autoplay functions encourage compulsive usage, which can lead to sleep deprivation and increased mental health risks. While Meta has proposed certain time-management settings, the commission noted that these tools are widely ineffective and often require parents to possess a level of technical expertise that many may not have.
If the preliminary breach is upheld and Meta is unable to successfully contest the findings, the company could face a significant financial penalty. Should Meta be unable to contest the findings, and should the preliminary breach hold throughout the commission’s investigation, the social media giant could face a fine capped at six percent of its global annual turnover. Based on the company’s 2025 revenue of €176 billion, the potential fine could reach as high as €11 billion.
The European Union has demonstrated a firm stance against the tech giant, having previously issued a €797 million fine in 2024 related to Facebook Marketplace advertising practices, followed by €200 million in fines in April 2025 for non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act. Meta currently serves 270 million users within the EU, accounting for more than half of the continent’s population.
Personalised recommendations and autoplay fuel the user’s urge to keep scrolling, leading to compulsive use, sleep deprivation, and heightened mental health risks.
