Information
The European Union has launched a formal investigation into Facebook and Instagram, platforms owned by Meta, over concerns that they may be causing addictive behaviour in children. This investigation, conducted under the Digital Services Act (DSA), aims to ensure that major tech companies like Meta are protecting European users and eliminating illegal content. This probe follows a previous investigation into Meta regarding its efforts to counter disinformation. Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, expressed doubts about Meta’s compliance with DSA obligations, emphasizing the need to protect children’s physical and mental health. In response, a Meta spokesperson defended the company’s decade-long efforts to create safe, age-appropriate online experiences for young users, highlighting the development of over 50 tools and policies aimed at safeguarding them.
The European Commission suspects that Meta’s platforms may contribute to behavioural addictions in children and raised concerns about the “rabbit hole” effect, where algorithms drive users to more extreme content. Additionally, the commission questioned the effectiveness of Meta’s age-verification tools. The DSA imposes strict rules to protect children’s privacy and security, and the EU is determined to enforce these standards. The investigation into Meta is part of a broader effort by Brussels to regulate Big Tech, with potential fines for non-compliance reaching up to six percent of a platform’s global turnover. Other platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, are also under scrutiny, demonstrating the EU’s commitment to holding tech giants accountable for user safety. Recent actions have included a probe into TikTok for similar concerns and forcing the suspension of its reward schemes due to their addictive nature. Other investigations have targeted platforms like AliExpress and X (formerly Twitter).
Source: Al Jazerra, DW
So what
It doesn’t take an analyst to see how these algorithms have effected everyone not just children, it will be interesting to see what steps they take.
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