The EU wants Facebook to stop keeping users endlessly scrolling
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings accusing Meta of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), arguing that Facebook and Instagram failed to properly assess and reduce the risks created by features designed to maximize user engagement. The findings specifically cite infinite scrolling, autoplay, Reels, Stories, and personalized recommendation systems. If the Commission ultimately concludes that Meta breached the law, the company could face fines of up to six percent of its annual global revenue.
The Commission’s argument is not centered on the content users see. Instead, it focuses on how Facebook and Instagram are designed. Regulators argue that the platforms continuously remove opportunities for users to stop using the apps. Infinite scrolling ensures feeds never reach an endpoint, autoplay immediately starts another video, while recommendation algorithms constantly surface new content based on a user’s viewing habits. Together, those systems encourage users to continue scrolling without making an active decision to do so.
The Commission believes that design poses greater risks for younger users. Children and teenagers are more likely to spend extended periods on social media when platforms continuously present new content without interruption. Under the Digital Services Act, very large online platforms are required to identify and mitigate systemic risks that could negatively affect users, particularly minors.
Meta already offers features such as Teen Accounts, parental supervision tools, and screen time reminders, but the Commission’s preliminary findings suggest those measures do not sufficiently address the underlying issue. Rather than relying on optional controls that users can disable or ignore, the Digital Services Act expects companies to consider whether the design of their products creates those risks in the first place.
The investigation represents one of the clearest examples of European regulators examining product design instead of moderation policies. Earlier Digital Services Act cases largely examined how platforms handle illegal content, advertising transparency, and recommendation systems. The Commission is now asking whether engagement-driven features themselves should be regulated when they encourage excessive use.
That question extends beyond Facebook and Instagram. Infinite scrolling, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendations have become standard across social media, appearing on platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, and X. While the Commission’s findings apply only to Meta, a final decision could influence how similar features are evaluated across the rest of the industry.
Meta rejected the Commission’s preliminary findings and said it shares the European Union’s goal of creating safer online experiences for younger users. The company pointed to Teen Accounts, expanded parental controls, and additional safety features introduced across Facebook and Instagram as evidence of those efforts.
The findings remain preliminary, giving Meta an opportunity to respond before the Commission reaches a final decision. If the company is ultimately found to have violated the Digital Services Act and fails to comply with any corrective measures, the European Commission can impose financial penalties reaching six percent of Meta’s worldwide annual revenue.
