The European Commission has issued a preliminary finding that Meta violated the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by using design features on Facebook and Instagram that encourage excessive use of its platforms, particularly among young people.
In a statement released on Friday, the EU’s executive arm said Meta failed to adequately assess and address the risks associated with certain platform features that could negatively affect the physical and mental well-being of users, including minors and vulnerable adults.
According to the Commission, features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, push notifications and highly personalised recommendation systems are designed in ways that can keep users engaged for prolonged periods and encourage compulsive behaviour.
The regulator argued that these mechanisms can place users in what it described as an “autopilot mode,” making it difficult for them to disengage from the platforms.
The Commission also accused Meta of failing to properly consider evidence relating to the amount of time teenagers spend on Facebook and Instagram, particularly during nighttime hours, and the potential impact of content formats such as reels and stories on excessive platform use.
As part of its preliminary findings, the EU said Meta had not implemented sufficient safeguards to reduce these risks and suggested that stronger measures may be required.
Among the measures highlighted were disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default and introducing mandatory screen-time breaks to encourage healthier online habits.
If the findings are confirmed after the completion of the investigation, Meta could face a fine of up to six per cent of its global annual revenue under the Digital Services Act.
Responding to the allegations, Meta rejected the Commission’s preliminary conclusions, arguing that they do not reflect the measures the company has already introduced to protect younger users.
“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.
Meta pointed to its recently introduced Teen Accounts, which it said provide additional protections for younger users and greater parental oversight.
According to the company, the feature allows parents to restrict access during certain hours and set daily screen-time limits, including a 15-minute usage cap.
“We share the European Commission’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive online experiences and will continue to engage constructively with them,” the spokesperson added.
The latest development marks the second preliminary ruling against Meta by the European Commission this year.
In April, the regulator concluded that the company had failed to take sufficient measures to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing its platforms, raising further concerns about compliance with EU digital regulations.
Meta has faced growing regulatory and legal pressure in multiple jurisdictions over the safety of its platforms and their impact on younger users.
Earlier this year, two separate court rulings in the United States intensified scrutiny of the company. One ruling found that aspects of the design of Facebook and Instagram contributed to addictive behaviour and mental health challenges among young users, while another concluded that the company had misled users regarding child safety protections on its platforms.
Meta has consistently disputed those findings, maintaining that its services are intended for users aged 13 and above and that it has systems in place to identify and remove accounts belonging to underage users.
The Commission’s findings remain preliminary, and Meta will have an opportunity to respond before a final decision is reached. However, the case is expected to become another major test of the EU’s efforts to enforce stricter accountability standards for large technology companies operating within the bloc.