EU Accuses Meta of DSA Violations Over Minors' Safety
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BRUSSELS — The European Commission has formally accused Meta of violating the Digital Services Act by failing to protect children under the age of 13 on its Instagram and Facebook platforms. The preliminary ruling, issued Thursday, marks a significant escalation in the bloc's regulatory enforcement against major technology firms regarding online safety.
The commission stated that Meta failed to properly assess and mitigate systemic risks to minors. The investigation found that the company lacked effective age verification checks and maintained weak reporting tools, allowing underage users to remain active on the networks despite terms of service prohibiting access for those under 13.
Under the Digital Services Act, which took full effect across the European Union in 2024, designated very large online platforms must implement robust measures to safeguard minors and prevent the dissemination of harmful content. The commission's preliminary findings suggest Meta's current systems are insufficient to meet these legal obligations.
Meta has not yet issued a public statement regarding the specific allegations. The company has previously stated that it employs advanced machine learning and user reporting mechanisms to identify and remove underage accounts. However, the commission's assessment indicates these measures have not been effective enough to prevent widespread underage access.
The accusation centers on three primary failures. First, the commission determined Meta did not adequately assess the risks posed by its recommendation algorithms to children. Second, the age verification processes were deemed ineffective, allowing users to bypass age gates easily. Third, the reporting tools available to users and parents were found to be weak, hindering the removal of underage accounts.
This enforcement action follows a series of investigations into Meta's data practices and content moderation policies within the EU. The Digital Services Act grants regulators the authority to impose fines of up to 6% of a company's global annual turnover for serious violations. If the preliminary findings are upheld in a final decision, Meta could face significant financial penalties and be required to overhaul its safety protocols.
The commission's move places pressure on Meta to demonstrate compliance before a final ruling is issued. Industry analysts suggest this could lead to stricter age verification requirements across the European market, potentially impacting how other social media platforms operate in the region.
Questions remain regarding the timeline for a final decision and the specific remedial actions Meta will be required to take. The commission is expected to review Meta's response to the preliminary accusations before determining the final outcome of the case. Legal experts note that the company has the right to appeal any final decision through the EU's judicial system.