BRUSSELS – Meta Platforms’ ( META.O ), which creates new social media sites Facebook and Instagram, will be investigated for potential breaches of EU online content rules relating to child safety, said the EU regulator on Thursday, which could result in heavy fines.
Tech companies must do more to combat illegal and harmful content on their platforms under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which was launched last year.
The European Commission says it has decided to launch an in-depth investigation into Facebook and Instagram because they do not pay enough attention to children. Meta submitted risk assessment report in September.
“The Commission is concerned that the Facebook and Instagram platforms, including their algorithms, may lead to behavioral addictions and a ‘rabbit hole effect’ in children,” the European Commission said in an executive statement.
In addition, the Board is concerned about the age and screening method set by Meta. Regulatory issues related to children accessing inappropriate content.
Meta is leading the EU in electoral disinformation ahead of crucial European Parliament elections next month. Violating DSA regulations can result in fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual global turnover.
