The European Commission has officially accused Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, of implementing addictive design elements within its platforms. The Commission's investigation primarily focuses on features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay for videos, which are believed to contribute to excessive user engagement.
According to the Commission, Meta has failed to sufficiently assess the potential risks associated with its design choices, particularly regarding the physical and mental well-being of users. This concern is especially heightened for vulnerable groups, including minors.
As a result of these findings, the European Commission is demanding changes from Meta to improve user safety and mitigate the addictive nature of its platforms.