The European Union (EU) has ordered Meta to modify the 'addictive design' of Facebook and Instagram, citing concerns over the platforms' impact on users, particularly children and vulnerable adults. The EU accused Meta of failing to mitigate the risks posed by features such as endless scroll, highly personalized feeds, and automatic video playback. If Meta does not implement the required changes, it could face fines of up to six percent of its global annual turnover.
EU's Concerns and Required Changes
The EU's preliminary view, released on Friday, stated that Meta must make significant design changes to both Instagram and Facebook. These changes could include disabling key addictive features like 'autoplay' and 'infinite scroll' by default, implementing effective'screen time breaks', and adapting the recommender system to be less engagement-oriented. The EU emphasized that protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms.
Meta's Response and Previous Actions
Meta expressed disagreement with the EU's findings but committed to engaging constructively with the regulator. The company highlighted its Teen Accounts feature, which allows parents to block access to Instagram at night and cap daily screen time at 15 minutes. However, the EU noted that Facebook's and Instagram's time management tools can be easily dismissed and that parental controls are only effective if parents have technical knowledge.
Broader EU Efforts and Potential Future Actions
This warning to Meta is part of the EU's broader efforts to force Big Tech to better protect users online, especially children. The EU has recently increased its scrutiny of tech giants, with similar warnings issued to TikTok earlier this year. The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), adopted in recent years, is a key tool in curbing what Brussels describes as Big Tech's excesses. The EU is also investigating the 'rabbit hole' effect on Meta's platforms, where users are fed related content based on algorithms, potentially leading to more extreme content.
Significance for Bangladesh
For Bangladesh, this development underscores the growing global concern over the impact of social media on mental health and the need for regulatory measures to protect users. As social media usage continues to rise in Bangladesh, especially among younger users, the country may need to consider similar regulatory actions to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens online. The EU's actions against Meta could set a precedent for other regions, including Bangladesh, to adopt stricter regulations on social media platforms.
