BRUSSELS—Meta Platforms is facing renewed regulatory pressure across multiple jurisdictions as authorities intensify scrutiny of the company's social media practices, content policies and commercial operations, adding to a growing list of legal and regulatory challenges confronting the technology company.
The latest development came on Friday when the European Commission issued preliminary findings that Meta may have breached the European Union's Digital Services Act by failing to adequately address risks associated with allegedly addictive design features on Facebook and Instagram, particularly for younger users. The Commission said features including autoplay, infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven recommendations could contribute to compulsive use if not accompanied by sufficient safeguards.
EU regulators said Meta's existing measures, including parental controls and time-management tools, did not sufficiently mitigate identified risks. The Commission called for changes that could include disabling certain engagement features by default and strengthening protections for minors. If the preliminary findings are upheld following the company's response, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover under the Digital Services Act.
Meta disputed the Commission's assessment, saying it has introduced significant protections for teenage users, including enhanced safeguards for youth accounts, and said it would continue engaging with regulators during the process. A final decision has not yet been announced.
The EU investigation adds to broader regulatory pressures facing the company worldwide. Earlier this week, France's competition authority ordered Meta to resume negotiations with French news publishers over compensation for the use of press content, following complaints that the company's payment methodology may constitute an abuse of a dominant market position. The watchdog instructed Meta to provide details of its proposed payment framework within 15 days while the broader antitrust case proceeds.
Beyond Europe, Meta continues to face regulatory inquiries and legal proceedings in several jurisdictions involving issues including online safety, content moderation, competition, privacy and children's welfare. Some of those cases remain under investigation or before the courts, with outcomes yet to be determined.
The company has repeatedly said it is investing in safety technologies, expanding transparency measures and working with regulators while maintaining that it complies with applicable laws. Regulatory authorities in several markets have indicated that investigations and enforcement actions involving major digital platforms, including Meta, remain ongoing, with further procedural steps expected before final decisions are reached.
