The European Commission has announced that it has reached a preliminary conclusion that Meta may have violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) due to what it described as addictive design features across Facebook and Instagram.

The investigation focused on several platform features, including Infinite Scroll, autoplay content, instant notifications, and highly personalized recommendation systems. The European Commission believes these features encourage users to spend more time on both platforms.

According to the Commission, Meta failed to properly assess the potential risks that these design choices could have on users’ physical and mental health, especially among minors and vulnerable groups.

The European Commission stated that personalized recommendations, infinite scrolling, and autoplay features can push users to continue consuming content almost automatically. This behavior may contribute to unhealthy usage patterns and compulsive digital habits.

The investigation also found that Meta allegedly ignored data related to the amount of time teenagers spend on Facebook and Instagram at night. The Commission also highlighted the role of content formats such as Reels and Stories in increasing excessive platform usage.

European regulators further noted that screen time management tools, including those enabled by default for teenagers, can be easily bypassed and do not significantly reduce overall usage time. The Commission also criticized parental control features, saying they depend heavily on parents having sufficient technical knowledge, which limits their effectiveness.

The European Commission also determined that Meta’s Safety Center, which provides mental health resources and support links, is not sufficient to address the potential effects of addictive platform design.

As part of the proposed measures, the Commission has requested that Meta modify the design of Facebook and Instagram. Suggested changes include disabling infinite scrolling and autoplay by default, introducing more effective time limits, and adjusting recommendation algorithms to rely less on maximizing user engagement.

Meta now has the right to present its defense before the European Commission issues a final decision. If the Commission confirms the violations, Meta could face a fine of up to 6% of its annual global revenue.

Vexiora Analysis

The European Union’s latest action against Meta highlights a growing regulatory focus on how social media platforms are designed to influence user behavior. The investigation does not only target harmful content but also examines the role of algorithms and interface features in encouraging prolonged engagement.

If the European Commission confirms that Meta violated the Digital Services Act, the decision could create a major precedent for the technology industry. Other social media companies may also face increased pressure to redesign their platforms and reduce features that encourage excessive usage.

For Meta, the challenge will be finding a balance between maintaining user engagement, which is central to its business model, and complying with stricter digital regulations. The outcome of this case could influence how future social platforms are designed across the European market.