Summary
- The European Commission has issued preliminary findings against Meta under the Digital Services Act.
- Infinite scroll, autoplay and personalised recommendations are at the centre of the investigation.
- Regulators are examining the effects of prolonged and compulsive use, particularly on minors.
- Meta says it has already introduced safeguards for teenagers and parental control tools.
- A final infringement decision could result in a fine of up to 6% of Meta’s global annual turnover.
The European Commission believes that key Facebook and Instagram features encourage compulsive use, leaving Meta facing possible platform changes and a substantial fine.
On 10 July 2026, the Commission announced its preliminary finding that the design of Instagram and Facebook breaches the European Union’s Digital Services Act. The investigation focuses on features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and highly personalised recommendation systems.
The case is significant because the Commission is not only examining the content displayed on social networks, but the way the services themselves are designed. European regulators believe that some of these mechanisms may exploit users’ vulnerabilities, creating increased risks for children, teenagers and vulnerable adults.
The features being examined by the Commission
The European Commission argues that features such as infinite scroll and autoplay remove the natural stopping points that might otherwise encourage users to leave an application.
Recommendation systems also continuously select new and personalised content to retain users’ attention. According to European regulators, the combination of these features can place the brain into a nearly automatic browsing mode, contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive behaviour.
The Commission also believes that Meta failed to assess and adequately mitigate the potential risks to users’ physical and mental wellbeing.
What changes the European Union could demand
Possible measures include disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introducing more effective usage breaks and changing the way recommendation systems operate.
European authorities are also examining whether Meta’s time-management and parental-control tools are genuinely effective, as some of the existing options are considered easy to ignore or bypass.
A final decision could therefore significantly affect the everyday Facebook and Instagram experience within the European Union.
Meta’s response
Meta disputes the preliminary findings, arguing that they do not adequately reflect the measures it has already implemented.
The company points to protected Teen Accounts, parental-control options and tools that allow users to limit their time on the platforms. It also says it has introduced a range of changes designed to provide younger users with a safer experience.
The procedure has not been completed, and Meta can review the Commission’s evidence and respond before a final decision is adopted.
The fine Meta could face
Should the infringement be confirmed, the European Commission could impose a fine of up to 6% of the company’s total worldwide annual turnover.
The investigation forms part of a wider procedure launched in 2024 into how Facebook and Instagram manage risks to minors. In a separate preliminary finding, the Commission had also accused Meta of failing to take sufficient measures to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing its platforms.
What we think
The European intervention targets the foundation of the social media business model: the constant competition for users’ attention. Should the case produce meaningful design changes rather than additional warning tools alone, it could transform the way the world’s largest digital platforms operate.
Frequently asked questions
Has Meta already been fined?
No. The European Commission has issued preliminary findings, and Meta has the right to respond before a final decision is made.
Which features are considered problematic?
The investigation focuses on infinite scroll, autoplay and highly personalised content recommendation systems.
Will infinite scroll be removed from Instagram?
No final decision has been made. The Commission could, however, require changes to the way the feature is activated or operates.
How large could the fine be?
The maximum penalty under the DSA can reach up to 6% of the company’s worldwide annual turnover.
Why does the case particularly concern minors?
European regulators believe that children and teenagers are more vulnerable to mechanisms that encourage prolonged or compulsive platform use.
