EU WARNS META TO CHANGE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM DESIGN OR FACE FINE

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings stating that Meta must alter design features on Facebook and Instagram or face a fine of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover. The Commission identified infinite scroll, autoplaying videos and personalised recommendations as features that could encourage "compulsive use", particularly among children and teenagers. A Meta spokesperson told the BBC the company disagreed with the findings, stating they did not accurately reflect steps taken to protect young users.

The Commission said the endless stream of content encourages "unhealthy habits" by shifting users' brains into "autopilot mode". The regulator raised particular concerns about Reels and Stories, arguing these features could contribute to excessive usage. The Commission also criticised Meta's time-management tools, stating they can be dismissed by users and do not meaningfully reduce usage, and said parental controls are only effective if parents possess sufficient time and technical expertise to operate them properly.

Meta stated it had introduced Teen Accounts that automatically protect teenagers and give parents control, including the ability to block access to Instagram at night and limit daily screen time to fifteen minutes. The preliminary findings are not a final decision, and Meta can now review the evidence against it and submit a formal response. EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms.