EU tells Meta to redesign Facebook, Instagram
The European Union has warned Meta to make significant changes to the design of Facebook and Instagram, saying some of the platforms’ features encourage excessive use and could harm users, particularly children and other vulnerable groups. In its preliminary assessment, the European Commission said Meta may have breached the bloc’s Digital Services Act by failing to adequately reduce the risks associated with engagement-driven features. These include endless scrolling, highly personalised content recommendations and automatic video playback, which regulators believe can encourage compulsive use. EU Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Henna Virkkunen, said protecting the physical and mental well-being of users should remain a priority for online platforms. She stressed that technology companies must ensure their products are designed with user safety in mind rather than maximising time spent online. The Commission suggested several measures Meta could adopt, including switching off autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, introducing more effective reminders that encourage users to take breaks, and adjusting recommendation systems to reduce dependence on engagement-focused algorithms. Meta said it disagreed with the Commission’s findings but pledged to continue discussions with European regulators. The company maintained that it has introduced a number of safety measures in recent years, particularly for teenagers. These include dedicated Teen Accounts, which allow parents to limit screen time, restrict nighttime access and apply additional safety controls. If the Commission confirms its preliminary findings after completing its investigation, Meta could face a financial penalty of up to six per cent of its global annual turnover.
The investigation began in 2024 under the EU’s Digital Services Act, legislation aimed at making major digital platforms more accountable for the safety of their users. Regulators are also examining whether Meta’s recommendation systems create “rabbit hole” effects that continuously push users toward increasingly similar or potentially harmful content. The latest move comes as European policymakers intensify efforts to strengthen online protections for children. An expert panel advising the European Commission is expected to present recommendations on child online safety, while some EU member states continue to advocate stricter age restrictions for social media access. The Commission has previously issued similar concerns to other technology companies over platform design, signalling its determination to enforce the bloc’s digital safety rules across the industry.
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