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EU threatens Meta with fines over 'addictive' Facebook and Instagram
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◎ Multiple-sources
Meta must change Facebook's and Instagram's "addictive" design or face a heavy fine, the EU has warned.
Key facts
- Meta told to pay $375m for misleading users over child safety
- If Meta does not make suitable changes, it could be fined up to 6% of its total global annual turnover
- But Meta said it had rolled out Teen Accounts that "automatically protect teens and put parents in control
- allowing them to block access to Instagram at night and cap daily screen time at 15
- Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement
Summary
In its preliminary findings, the European Commission said features such as infinite scroll, autoplaying videos and personalised recommendations could encourage "compulsive use", particularly among children and teens. If Meta does not make suitable changes, it could be fined up to 6% of its total global annual turnover. A spokesperson for the tech giant told the BBC it disagreed with the findings "which don't accurately take into account the significant steps we've taken to protect teens". In the preliminary findings, the Commission said the endless stream of content "shift the brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits".