EU Orders Meta to Fix ‘Addictive Design’ on Facebook and Instagram

The European Commission has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to overhaul core design features on its platforms after preliminary findings concluded that the company is in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) over what regulators describe as “addictive design.”

In findings issued on July 10, the Commission identified features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation algorithms as mechanisms that “fuel the user’s urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into ‘autopilot mode,’ contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use,” according to the European Commission.

Investigation and Key Findings

The Commission’s investigation, launched in May 2024, found that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks its platforms pose to the physical and mental wellbeing of users, particularly minors and vulnerable adults. Investigators determined that Meta disregarded data on how much time teenagers spend on Instagram and Facebook at night and how the optimization of formats such as reels and stories could lead to excessive or compulsive use.

As POLITICO reported, the Commission found that Meta’s existing safeguards are insufficient. Time management tools, including those activated by default for teens, “can be easily dismissed” and do not lead to meaningful reductions in usage. Parental controls were found to require significant technical expertise and time investment from parents, undermining their protective effect.

Required Design Changes

The Commission has called for structural design changes to both Instagram and Facebook, including:

• Disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default
• Implementing effective “screen time breaks”
• Adapting recommendation algorithms to be less engagement-oriented

According to CNBC, this marks the second time this year the EU has found Meta in breach of its rules. In April, the Commission preliminarily found that Meta failed to prevent under-13s from accessing its platforms.

Potential Financial Penalties

If the preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta faces a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover. Based on Meta’s 2025 revenue of approximately $201 billion, as reported by Euronews, this could amount to roughly $12 billion (€11 billion) — by far the largest penalty imposed under the DSA to date.

Previous DSA fines include €120 million against X in December 2025 and €200 million against Chinese e-commerce giant Temu in May 2026.

Meta’s Response

Meta has publicly disagreed with the preliminary findings. “We disagree with these preliminary findings, which don’t accurately take into account the significant steps we’ve taken to protect teens,” Meta spokesperson Ben Walters told POLITICO. The company pointed to its Teen Accounts program, launched in 2024, which automatically applies protective settings and allows parents to block access at night and cap daily screen time at 15 minutes.

“We share the European Commission’s commitment to providing teens with safe, positive online experiences and will continue to engage constructively with them,” a Meta spokesperson told CNBC.

Broader Regulatory Context

This action is part of a broader EU campaign to regulate Big Tech under the DSA. The Commission issued a similar preliminary finding against TikTok in February 2026, and an EU panel of experts is expected to deliver a recommendation on a minimum age for social media use on July 13.

The investigation also continues into so-called “rabbit hole” effects caused by Facebook and Instagram’s recommendation systems, which may exploit minors’ vulnerabilities.

What Happens Next

Meta now has the right to examine the Commission’s investigation files and submit a written defense. The European Board for Digital Services will also be consulted. If the Commission’s views are ultimately confirmed, it may issue a non-compliance decision, triggering potential fines. Meta could subsequently appeal any final decision to the European Court of Justice.

Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: “Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms. The Digital Services Act provides a clear framework to hold platforms accountable for the addictive design and effects of their services.”

The outcome of this case could set a landmark precedent for how social media platforms are designed not only in Europe but potentially worldwide, as other jurisdictions closely watch the EU’s enforcement of its digital rulebook.