EU launches investigation into Meta over potential social media addiction of children
The European Commission has announced the launch of an in-depth investigation into Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The investigation will focus on potential breaches of EU rules on online content, particularly those relating to the safety of children.
He writes about it Reuters.
The commission expressed concern that Facebook and Instagram’s algorithms could contribute to the formation of behavioral addictions in children and create so-called “rabbit hole effects” where users are immersed in an endless stream of content. In addition, the regulator is concerned about the age verification methods used by Meta and the possible access of children to inappropriate content.
Meta is already under EU scrutiny for misinformation, especially in the lead-up to important European Parliament elections. If Meta is found guilty of violating the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), the company faces significant fines that could amount to up to 6% of its annual global turnover.
