The European Commission has formally opened proceedings against Meta, accusing the tech giant of failing to adequately assess and mitigate the risks posed by the design of its social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. Brussels alleges that features such as infinite scroll, autoplay of videos and personalised algorithmic feeds may exploit psychological vulnerabilities, particularly in younger users, and amount to 'addictive' design under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
In a statement, the Commission said Meta had not carried out a sufficiently rigorous risk assessment before deploying these design elements, nor had it put in place effective measures to reduce the potential for compulsive use. The investigation will examine whether the company's interface design violates Article 34 of the DSA, which requires very large online platforms to identify and mitigate systemic risks, including those related to the protection of minors and mental well-being.
The move is the latest escalation in the EU's broader crackdown on Big Tech. Under the DSA, which came into full force in February 2024, platforms with more than 45 million users in the EU face strict obligations around content moderation, transparency and user safety. Meta, which has previously defended its products as 'designed to connect people', now risks fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if found in breach of the rules.
For UK businesses and consumers, the case carries significant implications. Although the UK is no longer subject to EU law, the DSA is widely seen as a benchmark for digital regulation worldwide. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and the Online Safety Act, which received Royal Assent in 2023, already impose similar duties on platforms to protect users from harmful content and addictive design. Industry experts warn that British firms operating in the EU may need to comply with both regimes, adding to compliance costs.
Dr. Eleanor Shaw, a technology policy researcher at the University of Cambridge, said the case could set a precedent for how regulators treat 'dark patterns' and persuasive design. 'If the EU compels Meta to redesign its core features, it could force a shift across the entire social media industry. UK regulators will be watching closely, and British companies that rely on similar engagement tactics may need to rethink their user interfaces,' she said.
Meta has yet to issue a detailed response to the proceedings. The Commission has not set a deadline for the investigation, though similar DSA cases against TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) have taken months to reach preliminary conclusions. For now, UK users of Facebook and Instagram can expect no immediate changes, but the outcome of the case could reshape how social media platforms are designed and regulated on both sides of the Channel.