The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta may have violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) over the allegedly addictive design of its platforms, particularly the infinite scroll and autoplay features. As reported by YugaTech, the EU regulator is scrutinizing whether these design elements manipulate user behavior and pose risks to mental health.
The DSA requires large online platforms to conduct risk assessments and mitigate systemic risks such as addiction. The Commission's preliminary view suggests that Meta's features, including continuous scrolling and video autoplay, may exploit user psychology to maximize engagement without adequate safeguards. If confirmed, Meta could face significant fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
Meta has the opportunity to respond to the findings before a final decision is made. The company has previously maintained that its platforms are designed with user well-being in mind and that it complies with EU regulations. This case could set a precedent for how social media companies design their interfaces under the DSA, affecting not only Meta but also other platforms operating in Europe.