Meta is facing a fine of up to $12 billion from the European Union after a preliminary investigation found the company violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) due to the addictive design of Instagram and Facebook . The case highlights once again the growing pressure the EU is putting on big tech companies to protect users, especially minors.
The European Commission announced that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks posed by its addictive design to the physical and mental health of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. At the heart of the criticism are features such as personalized content recommendations, video autoplay , and infinite scrolling. According to the Commission, these features fuel the user’s urge to keep scrolling and put the brain on autopilot.
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The investigation began in May 2024 and is also looking into Meta’s age verification tools and content protections for minors. If the decision is finalized, the company could face a non-compliance fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover . Based on 2025 revenue of $200.97 billion , the potential fine is as high as $12 billion .
Addictive design Instagram – Facebook: What are the EU's charges?
The European Commission report goes beyond design features to criticize the tools Meta provides to limit usage. Specifically, it states that time management tools can be easily dismissed by the user, while parental controls require technical knowledge, effort and time from parents to be effective. In addition, the company's mental health awareness measures are considered insufficient to address the risks.
The Commission is proposing that Meta redesign both Facebook and Instagram . Recommendations include disabling features like autoplay and infinite scroll by default , implementing effective screen time breaks, and modifying the recommendation algorithm . These are substantial changes that could affect how the platforms operate across Europe.
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The broader context for users
The case against Meta is part of the wider implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU regulation that regulates large digital platforms. The DSA obliges platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks arising from their services, including risks to mental health. Henna Virkkunen, the Commission's head of technology policy, stressed that protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms.
The decision comes at a critical time as the EU considers implementing a ban on social media for users under 16 across the Union. Countries such as Australia have already enacted laws banning the use of social media by minors under 16, while similar discussions are underway in other countries around the world. Meta will have the opportunity to defend its position before any decision is finalized, but the scale of the potential fine is a strong incentive for immediate compliance.
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For Greek users and parents, this development has immediate significance. If Meta is forced to change the addictive design of its applications in Europe, the changes will also affect millions of Greek users of Instagram and Facebook. Disabling infinite scroll and autoplay by default, as well as improving parental controls, could be important steps towards a healthier digital experience for young people. According to The Verge, the case is expected to be a milestone for how European authorities deal with addictive design of digital platforms in the future.
