The European Union (EU) appears to be taking the use of apps and the technical environment in the region very seriously. Facebook and Instagram are now under the radar of the European Union. The Union is launching an investigation into whether this is the case these apps cause addiction. And whether they subsequently have side effects on the mental and physical health of children.
EU launches investigation into Facebook and Instagram because they are addictive
The European Union has launched an investigation against the popular social media apps; Facebook and Instagram. The apps reportedly take no action to protect the mental and physical health of the minors who use them. The Union does not want children in their country to use this Instagram and Facebook have negative effects because of the apps.
According to the official statement, Meta does not follow the Digital Services Act (DSA) for its apps. The DSA is a law in Europe that enforces certain rules and restrictions on digital services and platforms. The apps are accused of causing “behavioral addictions” in children. Then it is said that these apps also cause a 'rabbit hole effect'.
The EU says that despite knowing the side effects, Meta does nothing to protect the mental and physical state of children. The authority also says that while Meta has age limit verification, it is not effective. So it doesn't stop children from accessing inappropriate content.
The Union will investigate Meta's algorithm
This study will investigate whether Meta is doing enough to protect children from seeing inappropriate content. That will be the case explore Meta's algorithm and recommendation system. If Meta violates DSA's rules, the EU will fine it up to 6 percent of the company's global turnover. Apple was also recently warned about this fine.
Meta claims it has “spent a decade developing more than fifty tools and policies” to protect children. The EU, on the other hand, says it will do everything it can to protect its young people.
