The European Union has launched a formal investigation into Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over concerns that its platforms are not adequately protecting the well-being of children. The probe, announced by the European Commission on Thursday, focuses on potential breaches of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), raising serious questions about the impact of Meta’s algorithms and content moderation policies on young users.
The Commission is particularly concerned about the potential for Facebook and Instagram’s design and algorithms to create “behavioral addictions” in children, leading to excessive screen time and detrimental “rabbit-hole effects.” The investigation will also examine whether Meta is adequately preventing minors from accessing inappropriate content and whether its age verification tools are effective and reliable.
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Additionally, the probe will assess the effectiveness of Meta’s content recommendation systems and default privacy settings in protecting minors. The investigation follows recent efforts by Meta to improve child safety measures on its platforms, including restrictions on harmful content and limitations on interactions with potentially suspicious adult accounts. However, the EU believes that these measures may not be sufficient to address the growing concerns surrounding the impact of social media on children.
The Commission’s next steps involve gathering further evidence. While there is no set deadline for the investigation, the EU has the authority to take interim enforcement action against Meta during the proceedings. If found in violation of the DSA rules, Meta could face significant fines, potentially reaching up to six percent of its global revenue. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton stated on X, “We are sparing no effort to protect youth.” The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Meta’s future operations in Europe and potentially set a precedent for other tech companies facing similar scrutiny.
