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EU Finds TikTok, Instagram and Facebook Addictive Design Breaches DSA

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The European Commission issued preliminary findings that TikTok (February 6, 2026) and Meta's Instagram and Facebook (July 10, 2026) violated the Digital Services Act through addictive design features. The scrutinised mechanics include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and personalised recommendation systems, which regulators say can drive compulsive use, especially among minors and vulnerable users. Crucially, the Commission assessed how these features work together as a system rather than judging each element in isolation. It indicated that adequate compliance may require structural design changes such as limiting infinite scroll, introducing screen-time breaks, and recalibrating recommendation algorithms. While these remain preliminary conclusions, they signal a significant regulatory shift: DSA enforcement now extends beyond content moderation to the core architecture of how platforms are built and experienced.

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EU Finds TikTok, Instagram and Facebook Addictive Design Breaches DSA · ShortSingh