The European Commission has stated that Facebook and Instagram are deliberately designed to create addiction, in breach of the strict Digital Services Act (DSA).

Brussels is now demanding immediate changes, calling for the removal or disabling of key features that keep citizens "captive" in front of their screens.

According to preliminary findings by the European Commission, Meta failed to properly assess the risks posed by its platforms to the physical and mental health of users, with a particular focus on minors.

Endless browsing, auto-playing videos, personalized recommendations, and constant notifications put the human brain on “autopilot” mode, fueling compulsive usage behavior.

Although the company has some time management and parental control tools, the Commission notes that these are proving ineffective. In practice, these restrictions are easily bypassed by teenagers, while for parents it often requires specialized technical experience, time and effort to understand and implement them correctly.

Therefore, the EU is asking Meta to change its design philosophy, disabling these addictive features by default and reconfiguring the recommendation algorithm so that it is not exclusively geared towards extreme engagement.

Meta's response and the fine

Meta, for her part, expressed her opposition to the accusations, arguing that the European Commission is undermining efforts that have already been made. A company spokesperson said that since the investigation began in 2024, “teenage accounts” have been introduced, which automatically protect minors and give parents the ability to block access at night or limit daily usage time to 15 minutes.

The company stressed that it shares the EU's commitment to a safe digital environment and will continue to cooperate constructively with the authorities.

This new controversy is a continuation of a broader investigation that began in 2024, when Meta was also accused of not taking sufficient measures to prevent the registration of children under 13, nor to identify and delete underage users who had already opened an account.

Henna Virkunen, executive vice-president of the commission that oversees the technology sector, made it clear that protecting the health of European citizens is a non-negotiable priority.

Meta is required to present its defense before a final decision is made. If its explanations are not deemed satisfactory and a breach of the Digital Services Act is ultimately found, the tech giant faces a hefty fine, which could reach up to 6% of its total annual global revenue.