The European Union launched a significant inquiry into Facebook parent firm Meta on Thursday for allegedly breaking the rigorous internet content regulation in the region due to potential dangers to children’s safety.
TakeAway Points:
- The EU’s executive body, the European Commission, announced that it is looking into the possibility that Meta’s Facebook and Instagram accounts “may induce behavioural addictions in children, as well as produce so-called ‘rabbit-hole consequences’.”
- The European Commission’s groundbreaking Digital Services Act, which aims to combat harmful information, served as the impetus for the probe.
European Commission is Probing Meta
Investigating if the social media giant’s Facebook and Instagram platforms “may drive behavioural addictions in children, as well as cause so-called ‘rabbit-hole effects’” is something that the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said in a statement.
The Commission went on to express its concerns over the privacy dangers associated with Meta’s recommendation algorithms and age verifications on its platforms.
“We want young people to have safe, age-appropriate experiences online and have spent a decade developing more than 50 tools and policies designed to protect them,” a Meta spokesperson wrote in an email.
“This is a challenge the whole industry is facing, and we look forward to sharing details of our work with the European Commission.”
Meta’s Risk Assessment as Foundation for the Investigation
According to the Commission, Meta’s September 2023 risk assessment study served as the basis for its initial examination, which led to the decision to launch an investigation.
“Not satisfied [that Meta] has done enough to comply with the DSA duties to limit the risks of ill consequences to the physical and mental health of young Europeans on its platforms,” stated Thierry Breton, the EU’s commissioner for internal markets, in a statement.
The European Union declared that it will look into Meta’s kid safety procedures “as a matter of importance.” The bloc has the option to keep obtaining proof through information requests, interviews, and inspections.
Digital Services Act
According to the Commission, the start of a DSA investigation enables the EU to pursue additional enforcement actions, such as non-compliance decisions and interim remedies. The Commission further stated that it may take Meta’s promises to address its issues into consideration.
Since the European Union introduced the groundbreaking Digital Services Act, a law designed to combat dangerous information, Meta and other U.S. digital firms have found themselves under increased scrutiny from the EU.
Companies that violate the EU’s DSA risk fines of up to 6% of their yearly worldwide revenues. As per its new law, the bloc has not yet fined any tech firms.
Other Allegations
The European Union initiated legal action against X, the business that was once known as Twitter, in December 2023 due to alleged neglect in addressing disinformation and manipulation of content.
The Commission is also looking into Meta for possible DSA violations pertaining to how it handled misinformation during elections.
The European Parliament elections are coming up, and the bloc expressed worry that Meta has not done enough to counter misinformation by launching an investigation against the company in April.
Concerns about child safety are causing more than just the EU to move against Meta.
The firm is facing legal action from the New Mexico attorney general, who claims that Facebook and Instagram allowed child trafficking, abuse, and solicitation.
At the time, a representative for Meta claimed that the business uses “advanced technology” in addition to other preventative measures to eradicate predators.
