European Union may impose a huge fine on Meta company

Experts from the European Union have concluded that certain features of Instagram and Facebook can create strong dependency among users, according to Zamin.uz.

Preliminary assessments by the European Commission indicate that Meta has not sufficiently accounted for potential risks, particularly for teenagers and psychologically vulnerable groups. If the ongoing investigation confirms these shortcomings, one of the world’s largest tech giants could face a fine amounting to up to six percent of its global annual revenue.

On October 10, the European Commission adopted a preliminary decision finding Meta in breach of the region’s digital services legislation. Officials emphasized that certain technical solutions on Facebook and Instagram are designed to keep users on the platform for as long as possible.

Such an approach may seriously harm users’ physical and mental well-being. The investigation revealed that Meta failed to pay adequate attention to creating a safe environment for minors and teenagers.

The mechanisms raising concerns among EU officials include personalized recommendation algorithms, automatic video playback, and infinite scrolling. According to Commission experts, these tools compel users to continuously consume new content and place them in a state where they lose self-control.

Additionally, Meta has left unaddressed the amount of time teenagers spend on social media at night and the negative impact of short video formats. Furthermore, the parental control tools offered by the company have come under sharp criticism.

According to the Commission’s conclusion, these tools are ineffective in practice. Using such systems effectively requires parents to have advanced technical knowledge and significant time—resources not everyone can afford in daily life.

Following the preliminary ruling, Meta has been given time to review all documents and submit its objections in writing. Recall that the European Union formally began assessing Meta’s compliance with digital services regulations in May 2024.

If the final findings confirm the company’s violation, this could result in one of the largest fines in the history of the tech industry. Additional investigations are currently underway to reach a final decision on the matter.