The European Commission is preparing to step up its investigation into Meta Platforms, with new allegations that the company intentionally designed its social media apps to hook children, according to a Bloomberg News report published Tuesday citing sources with knowledge of the situation.
Meta, which owns both Instagram and Facebook, has faced growing scrutiny over the effects its platforms have on the mental health and safety of younger users.
According to the Bloomberg report, European regulators are drafting preliminary findings that accuse Meta of using design tactics specifically intended to keep young people engaged and coming back to its platforms. No timeline has been set for when those findings will be officially released.
Neither Meta nor the European Commission responded to requests for comment from Reuters, which noted it was unable to independently confirm the Bloomberg report.
Regulators are also weighing restrictions on Meta similar to measures already put in place by the United Kingdom and other nations. Those potential curbs are expected to be considered after an expert panel delivers its recommendations next month.
The European Commission first launched its investigation into Meta in May 2024 under the Digital Services Act, citing concerns that the company had not done enough to protect children on its platforms. Then in April of this year, EU officials formally charged Meta with violating its technology regulations, demanding the company take stronger steps to prevent children under 13 from accessing its social networks.
In the United States, Meta has separately been lobbying Congress to grant the company legal immunity from lawsuits tied to harm caused to children. The company is currently facing thousands of legal claims from young users and their families, according to a Reuters report from last week.
Adding to Meta’s legal troubles, a jury in Los Angeles reached a significant verdict in March, finding both Meta and Alphabet’s Google negligent for building social media platforms that were harmful to young people.
