The European Commission has formally accused Meta of failing to address the health risks of its 'addictive design', pointing to features like video autoplay and infinite scroll on Facebook and Instagram.
Key facts
- EU regulators accused Meta of failing to tackle risks from its 'addictive design'.
- The charge sheet was released by the European Commission on Friday.
- Regulators cited video autoplay and infinite scroll as problem features.
- The Commission said such features shift the brain into 'autopilot mode', contributing to compulsive use.
- The accusations concern both Facebook and Instagram.
EU regulators have accused Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, of failing to tackle the risks of its ‘addictive design’ on the physical and mental health of users, according to the Guardian.
In an official charge sheet against Meta released on Friday, the European Commission said features such as video autoplay and infinite scroll, which provides an endless stream of content, ‘shift the brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use’.
The Commission’s focus centres on how these design choices affect the way users interact with the platforms. Autoplay automatically starts new videos, while infinite scroll allows people to keep viewing content without a natural stopping point.
Regulators framed the concern in terms of both physical and mental health, arguing that Meta has not done enough to address the risks associated with these features.
The accusations apply to both of Meta’s flagship platforms, Facebook and Instagram, which together are used by large numbers of people across the European Union.
Why it matters
The move signals that EU regulators are willing to challenge major technology companies over how their platforms are designed, not just what content they host. If regulators press ahead, it could set expectations for how social media features are built to reduce compulsive use.
Frequently asked questions
What features did the EU single out?
The European Commission pointed to video autoplay and infinite scroll, saying they shift the brain into 'autopilot mode' and contribute to unhealthy habits and compulsive use.
Which platforms are involved?
The accusations concern Facebook and Instagram, both operated by Meta.
When was the charge sheet released?
The European Commission released its official charge sheet against Meta on Friday, according to the Guardian.