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The EU announced<\/a> on Friday that Meta must overhaul Facebook\u2019s and Instagram\u2019s addictive design features or face a fine. The tech giant is in breach of the Digital Services Act by focusing on features like infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation algorithms, the European Commission said. <\/p>\n The Commission says these features fuel the user\u2019s urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into \u201cautopilot mode,\u201d which contributes to unhealthy habits and compulsive use. It found that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the addictive design of its platforms to users\u2019 physical and mental wellbeing, including minors and vulnerable adults. <\/p>\n The Commission also accused Meta of ignoring evidence about the amount of time minors spend on Instagram and Facebook at night and how features such as Reels and Stories could encourage excessive or compulsive use of the platforms.<\/p>\n \u201cEvidence also shows that Meta\u2019s current mitigation measures failed to effectively tackle the risks stemming from its addictive design,\u201d the Commission wrote. \u201cFor example, Instagram\u2019s and Facebook\u2019s time management tools, including those activated by default for teens, can be easily dismissed and do not lead to a meaningful reduction and control of the usage of the service.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s calling on Meta to disable key addictive features, such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, and to introduce effective screen-time breaks, as well as modify its recommendation algorithm to make it less focused on user engagement.<\/p>\n The findings are not final, and Meta will now have the opportunity to review the evidence against it and submit a formal response. If the Commission\u2019s findings are confirmed, Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover.<\/p>\n Meta did not immediately respond to TechCrunch\u2019s request for comment. <\/p>\n Friday\u2019s announcement marks the second time this year that the EU Commission has found Meta of breaching its laws. In April, the Commission found that Meta was failing to prevent<\/a> children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram. <\/p>\n Meta has also been facing scrutiny in the U.S. for failing to protect young users on its platforms. Most recently, Meta said in a court filing on Monday that four U.S. states are seeking $1.4 trillion<\/a> in penalties over claims that the tech giant designed Facebook and Instagram to addict young users and that it misled the public about the platforms\u2019 safety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission<\/a>. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/em><\/p>\n