European Commission expects Meta to strengthen child protection on Facebook and Instagram
The European Commission expects Meta to propose measures in the EU to reduce risks to children associated with Facebook and Instagram features that may be addictive. Channel NewsAsia reported this on August 27, citing European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier.
According to Regnier, Brussels closely monitored the settlement of the court case in the United States, under which Meta agreed to introduce substantial restrictions for teenagers using Facebook and Instagram. After this agreement was reached, the European Commission held new contacts with the company.
European Commission’s expectations
Regnier said that the European Commission is investigating Meta over suspicions similar to those that featured in the U.S. case. According to him, the company is aware of the regulator’s expectations and must propose commitments to protect children in the European Union.
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The European Commission pointed to risks to children associated with Facebook and Instagram features such as endless feed scrolling, highly personalized feeds, and automatic video playback. The regulator expects the platforms to provide appropriate screen-time control and parental control tools.
Proceedings in the EU and the agreement in the United States
Last month, the European Commission concluded that Meta had violated the EU Digital Services Act and ordered the company to propose changes that should make its platforms safer for children. Meta said it disagrees with the EU’s findings but will engage constructively on the matter.
If Meta does not address the European Union’s concerns, the company could theoretically face a fine of up to 6% of its total worldwide annual turnover. According to a U.S. court document, Meta agreed to pay a coalition of states up to $16.7 billion and introduce new safeguards: automatic nighttime lockouts and a two-hour limit on teenagers’ total daily use of Meta apps.
