EU Demands Meta Tame Instagram's Addictive Design

European Union authorities have mandated that Meta undertake major design modifications for its platforms, Instagram and Facebook. Regulators stated on Friday that the "addictive design" of these social media services contravenes European Union law. Specific features identified for revision include "infinite scroll" and the automatic playback of videos. The tech giant is also required to introduce "screen time breaks" and adjust its recommendation algorithms to be less focused on maximizing user engagement.

Meta faces potential hefty fines if it fails to comply with these demands. Such penalties could amount to as much as 6 percent of the company's global revenue. This ruling is the latest in a series of actions by European regulators aiming to address concerns about social media companies' intentionally addictive design tactics. The European Commission is also considering new rules to potentially bar children from social media due to these addictive features.