The European Union (EU) has launched new investigations into Facebook and Instagram, both owned by U.S.-based Meta, over concerns they are not adequately protecting children online. These probes, announced on Thursday, allege that the platforms may be violating the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to mitigate risks associated with harmful content.
If found in breach, Meta could face fines amounting to up to 6 percent of its annual global revenue. The EU's Digital Services Act requires tech companies to take more proactive measures against illegal and harmful content, especially on platforms frequented by young users.
European Commissioner Thierry Breton expressed worries that the algorithms used by Facebook and Instagram to recommend content might exploit children's vulnerabilities and foster addictive behaviors. He highlighted concerns over the potential reinforcement of the \"rabbit hole\" effect, where users are led to increasingly disturbing content.
Breton also pointed out issues with Meta's age-assurance and verification methods, suggesting that they might not sufficiently prevent children from accessing inappropriate material. \"We are not convinced that Meta has done enough to comply with the DSA obligations – to mitigate the risks of negative effects to the physical and mental health of young Europeans on its platforms Facebook and Instagram,\" he stated in a social media post.
In response, Meta asserted that it has developed numerous tools aimed at protecting young users. A spokesperson for the company said, \"We want young people to have safe, age-appropriate experiences online and have spent a decade developing more than 50 tools and policies designed to protect them.\" Meta acknowledged that addressing these challenges is an industry-wide effort and expressed eagerness to share details of their initiatives with the European Commission.
This latest investigation is not the first for Facebook and Instagram under the DSA. Earlier inquiries have focused on the platforms' efforts to combat foreign disinformation, especially in the lead-up to the EU elections scheduled for next month.
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Facebook and Instagram face EU investigation over child safety risks
cgtn.com
