Disable autoplay and infinite scroll or risk massive fines, EU tells Meta
Ars Technica AI · Ashley Belanger · 2026-07-10
The European Commission has preliminarily found that Meta's autoplay, infinite scroll, and personalized recommendation features on Facebook and Instagram are addictive and violate the Digital Services Act, threatening massive fines unless Meta disables or redesigns them.
Extraction
Topics: eu-regulationplatform-regulationsocial-mediadigital-wellbeingmeta
Claims
- The European Commission found that Meta's autoplay, infinite scroll, and highly personalized content recommendation features are addictive and that Meta failed to adequately assess their risks to user wellbeing.
- The EC characterized these features as shifting users into 'autopilot mode,' contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive platform use.
- Meta faces massive fines under the Digital Services Act if it does not disable or significantly modify these addictive design features.
- The investigation specifically targets harms to minors and vulnerable adults, indicating heightened regulatory concern about these demographics.
Key quotes
"These features fuel the user's urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into 'autopilot mode,' contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use." — European Commission
"Meta did not adequately assess the risks of its addictive design on the physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults." — European Commission