The European Commission has launched a formal inquiry into Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for alleged infringement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding child protection and addictive behavior on its platforms.
The probe, led by European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, seeks to assess Meta’s compliance with regulations and measures to protect children online and prevent potential harm caused by addictive algorithms.
“The European Commission is concerned that Facebook and Instagram’s systems, including their algorithms, may stimulate addictive online behavior in children and create a ‘rabbit hole’ effect,” Breton stated.
Key Areas of Investigation:
- Addictive Algorithms and “Rabbit Hole” Effect: The inquiry will scrutinize the platforms’ potential to foster addictive behavior and the mechanisms that may lead users, especially minors, into a continuous loop of consuming harmful or addictive content.
- Age Verification Tools: The investigation will assess the effectiveness of Meta’s tools and methods for verifying the age of users, particularly minors, to ensure appropriate content and safety measures.
- Privacy and Security for Minors: The EU will evaluate the level of privacy, safety, and security provided to minors while using Facebook and Instagram, including default privacy settings and the functioning of recommender systems.
The DSA, which went into force in August 2021, requires large online platforms such as Meta to follow strict standards to combat illegal and harmful content. Noncompliance could result in sanctions of up to 6% of the company’s global annual turnover, pointing out the necessity of providing a safe online environment, particularly for vulnerable populations such as minors.
In response, Meta stated its long-standing efforts to develop tools and services that protect young users online and provide a secure digital experience. The company has pointed out its age verification processes and commitment to providing a safe environment for minors.
However, Meta has faced criticism and legal challenges in the past, including lawsuits over alleged data collection on children without parental consent and concerns about the impact of its platforms on children’s mental health.
