Brussels: Meta Platforms, encompassing social media giants Facebook and Instagram, faces an EU investigation regarding potential violations of EU online content regulations concerning child safety. The move, announced by EU regulators on Thursday, carries the weight of possible significant fines.
Following the implementation of the European Union’s groundbreaking Digital Services Act (DSA) last year, tech companies are mandated to take stronger measures against illegal and harmful content on their platforms.
The European Commission disclosed that it will initiate a thorough investigation into Facebook and Instagram due to apprehensions that they have not adequately addressed risks posed to children. Meta had submitted a risk assessment report in September, prompting the Commission’s action.
“The Commission is concerned that the systems of both Facebook and Instagram, including their algorithms, may stimulate behavioral addictions in children, as well as create so-called ‘rabbit-hole effects’,” stated the EU executive in a released statement.
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Additionally, the Commission expressed worries regarding Meta’s age-assurance and verification methods, particularly in preventing children from accessing inappropriate content.
This scrutiny adds to Meta’s existing challenges within the EU, particularly regarding election disinformation—a critical issue given the upcoming European Parliament elections next month. Violations of the DSA could result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual global turnover.
