Lead

The European Union has charged Meta with breaching the bloc's tech rules, threatening the company with a heavy fine unless it changes what regulators describe as the "addictive design" of Facebook and Instagram. The charges, issued as preliminary findings of an EU investigation, focus on features that the European Commission says pose risks to the physical and mental health of users, including minors.

Coverage Comparison

Deutsche Welle reported that the EU accused Meta of breaching tech rules and failing to properly assess the addictive risks of certain features on its platforms. The outlet highlighted that Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover, and that the EU also accused the company of failing to prevent children under 13 from using the platforms.

The Hindu — World framed the development as the EU accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to "get users hooked," and reported that the EU demanded Meta disable "key addictive features" like infinite scrolling. The outlet also noted that Meta has tools and controls to help manage use, but that they are "easily overridden, dismissed, or technically challenging to use."

Both outlets reported the core facts: the EU's preliminary findings, the potential fine, and Meta's opportunity to respond before a final decision. Deutsche Welle provided additional detail on the EU's earlier accusation regarding children under 13, while The Hindu — World included Meta's statement about its Teen Accounts.

Key Claims

  • The European Union has charged Meta with breaching the bloc's tech rules, threatening it with a heavy fine unless it changes Facebook's and Instagram's "addictive design," as reported by both Deutsche Welle and The Hindu — World.
  • Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if it fails to comply with the EU's demands, according to both outlets.
  • The EU accused Meta of failing to properly assess the addictive risks posed by certain features of its popular social media platforms, as reported by both outlets.
  • The European Commission found Meta's measures to mitigate risks, such as time management tools and parental controls, were inadequate, as reported by both outlets.
  • The EU also accused Meta of failing to prevent children under 13 from using the platforms, a claim carried by Deutsche Welle.
  • The EU demands Meta disable "key addictive features" like infinite scrolling and autoplay of videos by default, as reported by both outlets.
  • Meta has tools and controls to help manage use, but they are easily overridden, dismissed, or technically challenging to use, as reported by both outlets.
  • "Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms," said EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, as quoted by both outlets.
The European Commission said Meta failed to properly assess the risks its design features pose to users, including minors. The commission's preliminary findings argue that features such as highly personalized recommendations, autoplay, and infinite scroll continuously feed users new content, making them more likely to stay longer on the apps. Reels and stories, different video-sharing formats offered by Facebook and Instagram, could lead to excessive or compulsive use, the commission found.

Brussels also addressed Meta's measures to mitigate such risks, finding them inadequate. The commission said time management tools are easily dismissable, while parental controls require significant time, effort, and technical knowledge to become effective.

In order to avoid hefty fines, the commission said Meta must disable features such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introduce effective screen-time breaks, and make its recommendation system less centered on driving engagement.

Meta now has the chance to respond and defend itself before the commission issues its final decision. The company said on Friday (July 10) that the preliminary findings do not recognize the steps it has already taken to protect teens. "Since this investigation began, we rolled out Teen Accounts that automatically protect teens and put parents in control - allowing them to block access to Instagram at night and cap daily screen time at just 15 minutes," Meta said in a prepared statement. "We share the European Commission's commitment to providing teens with safe, positive online experiences and will continue to engage constructively with them."

Perspectives

European Commission

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, argues that Meta's design features pose risks to users' physical and mental health and that the company's mitigation measures are inadequate. It demands Meta disable features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay by default and introduce other changes to protect users, particularly minors.

Meta

Meta says the preliminary findings do not recognize the steps it has already taken to protect teens, including the rollout of Teen Accounts that allow parents to block access at night and cap daily screen time. The company says it shares the commission's commitment to providing safe online experiences and will continue to engage constructively.