Meta sues Irish regulator as EU targets addictive design on Facebook, Instagram

The European Commission issued preliminary findings on July 10 that Meta ↗ 1.02% breached the Digital Services Act through the addictive design of Facebook and Instagram, setting up a potential fine of up to 6% of the company's global annual revenue — roughly $12 billion. Days later, Meta launched a legal challenge in Ireland's High Court against related investigations by the country's media regulator.thenextweb+1

Infinite Scroll and Autoplay in the Crosshairs

The Commission's case targets platform architecture rather than content. Investigators identified four features — infinite scroll, autoplay video, push notifications, and highly personalized recommendation algorithms — as mechanisms that "fuel the user's urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into 'autopilot mode,' contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use," according to the Commission's announcement.digital-strategy.europa+1

Brussels said Meta failed to adequately assess the risks these design choices pose to users' physical and mental well-being, particularly minors and vulnerable adults. Existing time-management tools were dismissed as ineffective because they "can be easily dismissed" and do not meaningfully reduce usage. The Commission has demanded Meta disable autoplay and infinite scroll in default settings, implement screen-time breaks that cannot simply be tapped away, and retune its recommendation systems away from pure engagement maximization.thenextweb+2

This marks the company's second DSA violation finding in 2026, following an April preliminary finding that Meta failed to keep users under 13 off its platforms.gblock

Meta Fights Back in Irish Courts

On Tuesday, July 14, Judge Mary Rose Gearty granted Meta permission to pursue two judicial review challenges against Coimisiún na Meán's decision to open investigations into Facebook and Instagram under the DSA. Meta claims the Irish regulator acted beyond its powers under the Broadcasting Act 2009 and the Digital Services Act by launching the probes.westernpeople+2

Coimisiún na Meán opened its investigations on May 5, examining whether Meta uses "dark patterns" — manipulative interface designs — to prevent users from accessing recommendation feeds not based on profiling, as required under Articles 25 and 27 of the DSA.reuters+1

What Comes Next

The Commission's findings remain preliminary. Meta now has the right to review the evidence and submit a formal defense before Brussels issues a binding decision — a process that in past DSA cases has taken months. No fine has been imposed, and no deadline has been set for a final ruling. Meanwhile, the Irish court challenge adds a second legal front that could shape how national regulators enforce the DSA alongside the Commission.thenextweb+1