EU Launches Investigation into Meta’s Failure to Protect Children Online and Possible Breach of EU Laws

EU Launches Investigation into Meta’s Failure to Protect Children Online

The European Union has initiated an investigation into Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over concerns that it is not adequately safeguarding children on its platforms and may be violating EU laws. The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Meta to assess whether the company has breached the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in terms of protecting minors. Under the DSA, large online platforms and search engines are required to implement measures to protect children, such as preventing access to inappropriate content and ensuring privacy and safety.

One area of concern for the commission is the systems behind Facebook and Instagram, including the algorithms that recommend videos and posts. There is a worry that these algorithms could contribute to addiction among children and create a “rabbit-hole effect” where users become trapped in a cycle of harmful content. Furthermore, EU officials are questioning the effectiveness of Meta’s age verification methods, which include uploading a government-issued ID, recording a video selfie, or asking mutual friends to verify age.

The investigation will examine Meta’s compliance with DSA obligations regarding the design of Facebook and Instagram’s interfaces. The commission is particularly interested in assessing whether these interfaces exploit the vulnerabilities and inexperience of minors, potentially leading to addictive behavior. The fundamental right to the physical and mental well-being of children is at stake, and the commission is determined to counter potential risks.

Additionally, the probe will scrutinize Meta’s compliance with DSA requirements related to preventing young users from accessing inappropriate content. This includes evaluating the adequacy of Meta’s age-verification tools, which must be reasonable, proportionate, and effective. The commission will also investigate whether Meta has fulfilled its obligations to ensure a high level of privacy, safety, and security for minors, especially concerning default privacy settings.

The investigation was triggered by a risk assessment report submitted by Meta in September 2023. Margrethe Vestager, the executive vice president for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, expressed concerns about Facebook and Instagram potentially stimulating behavioral addiction and the inadequacy of Meta’s age verification methods. The EU Commission’s aim is to protect the mental and physical health of young online users.

Thierry Breton, European commissioner for Internal Market, echoed Vestager’s concerns and promised a thorough investigation into Meta. The focus will be on Meta’s potentially addictive nature, age verification tools, and the level of privacy provided to minors. The EU is committed to doing everything possible to protect children.

Meta is facing legal challenges on multiple fronts. The European Union’s investigation comes shortly after another probe into Meta’s handling of disinformation ahead of EU elections. In addition, the EU has launched an investigation into video-sharing platform TikTok for potential non-compliance with the Digital Services Act and the negative effects its app may have on young people.

In the United States, Meta has been subject to numerous lawsuits. One lawsuit filed by the attorneys general of 33 states alleges that Meta disregarded reports of underage users on its platforms and actively targeted the underage demographic on Instagram. Meta responded by stating that the complaint misrepresented its efforts to enhance teenage online safety. Other lawsuits claim that Meta’s apps contribute to body dysmorphia and expose underage users to harmful content.

During a hearing on Capitol Hill, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, apologized to families and parents who had been harmed by his social media platforms. He pledged to continue investing in industry-wide initiatives to improve child protections online.

Meta maintains that it is committed to providing safe online experiences for young people and has developed numerous tools and features to protect them. The company sees the challenges it faces as an industry-wide issue and is working towards industry-wide solutions for age assurance. Meta looks forward to sharing details of its work with the European Commission.

The investigation into Meta’s failure to protect children online highlights the growing concerns about the impact of social media on young users. It emphasizes the need for robust regulations and effective measures to safeguard minors from harmful content and addictive behaviors. The EU’s actions serve as a reminder to tech giants that they must prioritize the well-being of young users and take their responsibilities seriously.