Meta's social media giants Facebook and Instagram are under the EU microscope 🧐 after regulators launched an investigation Thursday over concerns they’re failing to protect young users online. The probe could lead to fines up to 6% of Meta’s global revenue under the bloc’s landmark Digital Services Act (DSA).
⚠️ The European Commission flagged worries that algorithms recommending Reels, posts, and videos might exploit kids’ 'weaknesses' and create addictive scrolling habits. Officials fear these systems push users into a content 'rabbit hole' 🕳️—think Alice in Wonderland but with harmful clips instead of tea parties.
🔍 Key concerns:
Inadequate age checks letting kids access adult content
'Black Mirror'-style AI recommendations targeting young brains
Lax safeguards against mental health risks
'We are not convinced Meta has done enough,' said EU Commissioner Thierry Breton in a fiery tweet-thread. Meta fired back: 'We’ve built 50+ safety tools over 10 years! 🛡️'
This isn’t Meta’s first EU rodeo 🤠—the company’s already under scrutiny for failing to curb election disinformation ahead of June’s EU Parliament vote.
