personal tech
Brussels says Meta failed to properly assess or mitigate risks posed by infinite scroll, autoplay, and more
Meta may have breached the European Union's Digital Services Act by designing Facebook and Instagram to keep users glued to their screens, with Brussels saying that features such as infinite scroll and autoplay should be switched off by default.The European Commission on Friday published preliminary findings accusing the social media giant of failing to properly assess or mitigate the risks posed by what it describes as the addictive design of its platforms. The investigation centers on infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and the highly personalized recommendation systems that determine what users see next.The Commission argues that Meta underestimated the effect those features can have on users, particularly children and vulnerable adults. Its preliminary findings say recommendation algorithms, autoplay, and infinite scrolling encourage people to keep consuming content, nudging them into what the Commission calls "autopilot mode" and fostering unhealthy habits and compulsive use.
The Commission also says Meta ignored evidence showing how long minors spend on Facebook and Instagram at night, and failed to account for how products such as Reels and Stories could encourage excessive use.
