EU Orders Meta to Modify “Addictive” Features on Facebook, Instagram or Face Fines
The European Commission on Friday, July 10, issued a preliminary order directing Meta Platforms to change certain features on Facebook and Instagram, citing risks of addictive design. The commission identified highly personalized recommendations, autoplay, and infinite scroll as features that combine to encourage compulsive use, according to a statement. [1]
Meta faces potential fines of up to 6% of its annual revenue — approximately $12 billion based on fiscal 2025 figures — if it does not comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping regulatory framework that requires large platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks to physical and mental well-being. The commission’s investigation found that Meta did not adequately assess the risks of its addictive design on users, including minors and vulnerable adults, officials said. [1]
Regulatory Background
The DSA, which took effect in August 2023, requires large online platforms to conduct risk assessments and take measures to address systemic harms. The European Union has been expanding enforcement of the law, which critics describe as a censorship tool that gives unelected officials power over online speech. [2] The commission’s investigation determined that Meta violated these obligations by failing to properly evaluate how features such as autoplay and infinite scroll affect user behavior. [1]
“These features fuel the user’s urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into ‘autopilot mode,’ contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use,” the commission said in its press release. [1] The probe also found that Meta “disregarded available information about the time minors spend on Instagram or Facebook at night and how the optimization of its different formats – such as reels and stories – could lead to excessive or compulsive use of the services.” [1]
Specific Features Targeted
The commission called for Meta to remove infinite scroll and autoplay, introduce mandatory screen time breaks, and adjust its recommendation algorithms to be “less engagement oriented.” [1] Regulators argued that these design elements exploit psychological vulnerabilities, particularly among younger users. The order is preliminary and subject to further proceedings, during which Meta can present its case before a final decision is made. [1]
Investigators said Meta did not adequately assess the risks posed by push notifications and the highly personalized recommendation systems that prioritize content likely to keep users engaged. The commission also criticized the company for not using available data on nighttime use by minors to inform its risk assessments. [1]
Meta’s Response
Meta rejected the findings. “We disagree with these preliminary findings, which don’t accurately take into account the significant steps we’ve taken to protect teens,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. [1] The company pointed to its launch of Teen Accounts, a feature that gives parents the option to block their children’s access to Facebook and Instagram at night. [1]
Meta also noted that it has introduced parental controls and time management tools, but the commission argued these measures were insufficient due to the underlying design of the platforms. The company faces additional regulatory pressure in Europe over its data collection practices and its handling of underage users. [1]
Financial and Legal Context
The potential fine of up to 6% of annual revenue — about $12 billion based on 2025 earnings — follows a pattern of escalating EU penalties against American tech firms. The bloc has already imposed a $140 million fine on Elon Musk’s X platform under the DSA and accused TikTok of similar “addictive design” violations. [3] [4]
Separately, Meta faces over 2,400 U.S. lawsuits related to its addictive features. The company suffered back-to-back court losses earlier this year: a product liability trial in Los Angeles and a $375 million judgment in New Mexico for knowingly harming children’s mental health and enabling child sexual exploitation. [5] [6] The Trump administration has mobilized U.S. diplomats to lobby against the DSA, arguing it threatens free speech and unfairly targets American companies. [7] Senior State Department officials have called the law “Orwellian censorship.” [8]
Outlook
The preliminary findings are subject to further proceedings; Meta can present its case before the European Commission issues a final decision. If the order stands, Meta will be required to implement the changes within a set timeframe or face the maximum fine. [1]
The case underscores the growing regulatory clash between Brussels and Washington over online content and platform design. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who oversees DSA enforcement, has pushed for strict compliance. [9] Critics of the DSA argue that its broad mandates empower a centralized bureaucracy to dictate how platforms operate, potentially stifling innovation and free expression. [10] Similar actions against TikTok and X signal that the EU intends to use the DSA as a tool to reshape the social media landscape across the bloc.
References
- EU targets Meta over ‘addictive’ Facebook and Instagram design. RT. July 11, 2026.
- Ava Grace. EU pushing through with enforcement of censorship tool Digital Services Act. NaturalNews.com. January 28, 2025.
- EU Fines Elon Musk’s X $140 Million Amid Free Speech Clash. ReclaimTheNet.org. December 5, 2025.
- EU accuses TikTok of “addictive design” under new digital censorship law. NaturalNews.com. February 9, 2026.
- Facebook and Instagram owner enabled child sexual exploitation. RT. March 25, 2026.
- TikTok, Meta, and YouTube sued in first-ever child addiction trial. RT. January 27, 2026.
- Ramon Tomey. US State Department launches diplomatic offensive against EU’s draconian CENSORSHIP law. NaturalNews.com. August 12, 2025.
- Kevin Hughes. US State Department slams EUs Digital Services Act as Orwellian censorship. NaturalNews.com. July 27, 2025.
- Trends-Journal-2023-10-39.
- Trends-Journal-2024-06-25.
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