EU Orders Meta To Change Instagram, Facebook Features

The European Commission has accused Meta Platforms, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, of violating the European Union's technology rules. The Commission says that features such as autoplay, personalised recommendations, and infinite scroll are designed to keep users engaged for longer periods, which can be harmful.

The preliminary findings came after a two-year investigation under the EU's Digital Services Act. The Act requires major online platforms to take greater responsibility for tackling illegal and harmful content. Regulators have flagged the risks of excessive use, saying that features such as reels and stories on Facebook and Instagram could contribute to excessive or compulsive use.

The Commission has criticised Meta's steps to address these concerns, saying that time management tools can be easily ignored, while parental controls require considerable time, effort, and technical expertise to be used effectively. The Commission is asking Meta to disable autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introduce effective screen-time breaks, and make its recommendation systems less focused on increasing user engagement.

Meta has disagreed with the preliminary findings, saying that they do not accurately take into account the significant steps the company has taken to protect teens. Since the investigation began, Meta has 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.

The EU's tech chief, Henna Virkkunen, has said that the Commission's starting point is that the design of Meta's platforms is too addictive and changes need to be made. Meta faces a possible fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if it does not make the required changes. The company can respond to the charges before the Commission issues a final decision in the coming months.

This is not the first time that Meta has faced criticism over the addictive nature of its platforms. Last month, the company failed in its attempt to dismiss claims by 29 US state attorneys general that Facebook and Instagram are addictive to children. The EU's action against Meta follows similar measures against TikTok in February, when regulators demanded comparable changes to its app.

The Commission is also investigating the so-called rabbit hole effects linked to Facebook and Instagram recommendation systems, where users may be drawn into prolonged viewing through algorithms that push similar content. This wider probe into social media risks is part of the EU's efforts to regulate the tech industry and protect users from harmful content.

The EU's Digital Services Act is a significant piece of legislation that aims to regulate the tech industry and protect users from harmful content. The Act requires major online platforms to take greater responsibility for tackling illegal and harmful content, and to provide more transparency and accountability in their operations.

In the context of the EU's efforts to regulate the tech industry, the action against Meta is a significant step. The EU is taking a strong stance on the issue of addictive platforms, and is requiring companies to make changes to protect users. This is likely to have a significant impact on the tech industry, and could lead to changes in the way that platforms are designed and operated.

The significance of this action for users is clear. The EU is taking steps to protect users from harmful content and to regulate the tech industry. This is likely to lead to a safer and more transparent online environment, where users are protected from addictive platforms and harmful content. The EU's action against Meta is an important step in this direction, and is likely to have a significant impact on the tech industry in the coming months.

In conclusion, the EU's action against Meta is a significant step in the regulation of the tech industry. The EU is taking a strong stance on the issue of addictive platforms, and is requiring companies to make changes to protect users. This is likely to have a significant impact on the tech industry, and could lead to changes in the way that platforms are designed and operated. The EU's efforts to regulate the tech industry are likely to continue, and could lead to a safer and more transparent online environment for users.