The European Commission has provisionally concluded that Meta Platforms is in breach of the rules set out in the Digital Services Act (DSA). This is due to the lack of protection for children under the age of 13, who are prohibited from using Instagram and Facebook under the company's own terms.

According to the Commission, the measures the company has in place are failing. It is very easy for children to get onto the platforms - for example, they just need to enter a false date of birth when registering and the system has no effective mechanism to verify this. Checks are inadequate, according to the findings, and often accounts that appear to belong to underage users are not removed.

Criticism is also directed at the reporting tools. The process of notifying a child's account is complex and inefficient - the user has to go through several steps before they even get to the form. Moreover, it is not automatically filled in with the necessary data. Even after reporting, there is often no adequate response and the child can continue to use the platform without restrictions.

The European Commission also points to Meta's problematic risk assessment. It says this does not reflect reality and underestimates the scale of the problem. Data from the European Union suggest that around 10 to 12 per cent of children under 13 have access to these social networks. Moreover, the company allegedly ignores scientific evidence that suggests younger children are significantly more vulnerable to the negative effects of the online environment.

The Commission is therefore calling for major changes. The Meta must adapt its risk assessment methodology and, above all, introduce more effective age verification tools. The aim is to ensure a higher level of protection for the privacy, safety and health of underage users.

As a next step, the company has the opportunity to comment on the findings and, if necessary, take corrective action in accordance with the European rules for the protection of children online. The European Digital Service Council will also be involved in the process.

If the preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta faces heavy penalties. The fine could reach up to 6 percent of its worldwide annual turnover. In addition, the company may be subject to periodic monetary penalties until it remedies its situation.

The investigation began in May 2024 and is still ongoing. In addition to children's access to platforms, it is also looking at the wider implications of social network design, which may encourage addictive behaviour or „rabbit holes“, i.e. users' long-term retention of content.

gnews.cz - GH