Meta’s U.S. settlement pressures EU to act swiftly
Meta has reached a landmark settlement with 47 U.S. states over claims that its platforms harmed children through addictive design features. The settlement, agreed upon in an Oakland court on August 26, includes a penalty of up to $17.1 billion. This agreement, finalized nearly 9,000 kilometers from Brussels, shows the growing global scrutiny of tech platforms’ impact on young users.
More significantly, Meta has agreed to implement platform changes that Europe has long sought. These include capping screen time for teenagers at two hours per day, disabling notifications between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and introducing mandatory usage breaks.
Brussels Faces Pressure to Act
The settlement has sparked discussions in Brussels about the European Union’s approach to regulating social media platforms. A group of 52 MEPs from five political groups has urged Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to swiftly conclude the Digital Services Act investigation into Meta. In a letter sent yesterday, they called for fines and platform changes comparable to those in the U.S. settlement.
The MEPs highlighted Meta’s contradictory stance, noting that the company contested the EU’s preliminary findings but agreed to similar terms in the U.S. court.
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On July 10, the European Commission stated that Instagram and Facebook’s addictive design features, such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications, weren’t compliant with EU law. The settlement was also designed to bring other U.S. tech platforms onboard, potentially turning its terms into a broader industry standard for online safety. By bringing other U.S. tech platforms onboard, the agreement could influence global norms for digital platform regulation.
Mixed Reactions and Uncertain Future
Reactions in Europe have been mixed. Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton expressed frustration, stating that U.S. courts are moving faster than the EU Commission. He emphasized the need to enforce the Digital Services Act immediately, reflecting a growing impatience with the EU’s regulatory pace.
As Brussels prepares to introduce age restrictions on social media this fall, the Meta settlement has complicated the decision-making process. An expert panel recommended EU-wide restrictions for under-13s in July, but a French court deemed a national ban unconstitutional.
