Meta is facing another legal action involving app designs that allegedly cause social media addiction. This time, the European Commission (EC) found that two Meta apps have violated the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Features such as endless scrolling, notifications on devices and a system that suggests personalized content to users are allegedly encouraging users to keep scrolling the app endlessly. The EC also stated that Meta did not assess the risks to the physical and mental well-being of users, including teenagers and vulnerable groups.
Reels and Stories, for example, are alleged to ignore data on nighttime usage by teenagers and increase excessive use. The EC added that time management and parental control tools are considered ineffective, easily bypassed, and require high technical skills to use correctly.
The EC has recommended that Meta should disable the auto-play video feature and endless scrolling by default. They are also recommended to provide screen breaks and make the recommendation system less important to increase interaction.
Meta can now defend itself. If the EC's view is confirmed, Meta could be fined up to 6% of its annual global revenue.
It's another big case that has hit Meta this year. Since losing a trial in Texas earlier this year over the addiction of their platform to underage users, they are now facing similar lawsuits from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey seeking penalties of up to $1.4 trillion (~RM 5.71 trillion).
