EU Finds Meta Breached DSA Over Addictive Designs, Risking 6% Fine
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 10
EU Finds Meta Breached DSA Over Addictive Designs, Risking 6% Fine
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 10
Summary
The European Commission preliminarily found Meta violated the Digital Services Act because Instagram and Facebook design features exposed users — including minors and vulnerable adults — to well-being risks.
Infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications and highly personalized recommendations were cited as feeding compulsive use, while regulators said Meta ignored evidence on late-night use by young people and excessive engagement across reels and stories.
Brussels said Meta must redesign those features, potentially disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default and adding screen-time breaks; if the finding is confirmed, the company could be fined up to 6% of annual turnover.
Meta rejected the preliminary conclusions, saying it has already introduced Teen Accounts with night-time restrictions and 15-minute daily screen-time caps, and pledged to keep engaging with the EU.
The case is Meta's second EU breach finding this year after an April ruling on under-13 access, and it adds to wider scrutiny after two U.S. court rulings in March tied its platform design to youth addiction and safety harms.
With global regulators targeting addictive design, is the era of engagement-driven social media finally ending?
If platforms are forced to be less addictive, what will a 'healthier' online world actually look like for users?
Meta Faces EU Action for Addictive Social Media Features: DSA Enforcement and the Global Movement to Protect Minors
Overview
On July 10, 2026, the European Commission accused Meta of using 'addictive design' features in its social media platforms, following an investigation that began in May 2024. This action is part of a broader effort under the Digital Services Act to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on young users. The EU is considering even stricter rules, including possibly banning children from social media, inspired by similar steps in Australia. These preliminary findings against Meta highlight the EU’s ongoing push to regulate major online platforms and protect minors from harmful digital experiences.