EU warns Meta over 'addictive' features on Instagram and Facebook, faces potential fines

The European Union has accused Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, of designing its platforms to be "addictive". On July 10, 2026, the European Commission published preliminary findings from a two-year investigation, claiming that Meta is in violation of its Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission has warned that Meta could face substantial fines if it does not address these issues.

EU's Investigation into Meta's Practices

The investigation revealed that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks that Instagram and Facebook pose to users' physical and mental health. The EU highlighted features such as autoplay videos, personalized recommendations, and infinite scrolling as contributing to compulsive use and unhealthy habits.

According to the EU, these features cause users’ brains to shift into "autopilot mode," leading to increased anxiety and depression among young users. Politicians around the world are increasingly concerned about the impact of social media on mental health, particularly for younger demographics.

Potential Consequences for Meta

The Commission has called on Meta to implement several design changes, including disabling key addictive features. Specifically, it has urged the company to amend the default settings on Instagram and Facebook to turn off infinite scrolling and video autoplay, as well as reduce the level of personalized content provided by the platforms' algorithms.

Fabrizio Esposito, an associate professor at NOVA School of Law in Lisbon, noted that the situation poses significant challenges for Meta. He stated, "The violations strike at the heart of its business model," implying that Meta may need to overhaul its approach to remain compliant.

Meta's Response to the Findings

Meta has publicly disagreed with the findings of the EU's investigation. In a statement, Meta spokesperson Ben Walters said, "We disagree with these preliminary findings, which don’t accurately take into account the significant steps we’ve taken to protect teens." The company argues that it has already implemented measures to mitigate the risks associated with its platforms.

As the EU prepares to finalize its decision, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its annual turnover if it does not comply with the Commission's requirements.