EU accuses Meta of failing to address addictive design risks

European regulators have formally accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, of failing to mitigate the risks posed by its “addictive design” on users’ physical and mental health. In a charge sheet released on Friday, the European Commission cited the company’s video autoplay and infinite‑scroll features as key contributors to compulsive use, arguing that these mechanisms shift the brain into an autopilot state that encourages unhealthy habits.

The Commission’s document describes how the continuous stream of content and automatic playback create a cycle of instant gratification that can lead to prolonged exposure and compulsive scrolling. It warns that such design choices may exacerbate anxiety, depression, and other mental‑health concerns, while also raising physical‑health issues related to prolonged screen time. Meta’s responsibility to address these harms is underscored by the regulator’s call for concrete measures to reduce the addictive potential of its platforms.

The European Commission will monitor Meta’s compliance with the charge and may impose penalties if the company fails to implement the requested safeguards. Meta has not yet issued a formal response, but the regulatory action signals a broader push across the EU to hold social‑media firms accountable for the design choices that shape user behavior.