EU warns Meta: disable auto-play, infinite scroll or face fines

The European Union has warned Meta Platforms that it must disable features like auto-play videos and infinite scroll on its platforms, or face potential fines. This directive comes under the EU's new Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to create a safer and more accountable online environment for users. The EU is scrutinizing how Meta's design choices might impact user behavior.

This development matters because it could force Meta to make significant changes to core platform features that are designed to maximize user engagement. Auto-play videos and infinite scroll are known to keep users on apps longer, increasing the opportunities for ad impressions. Altering these could impact user time spent on Meta's platforms within the European market.

The mechanism involves the Digital Services Act empowering the EU to mandate design changes for large online platforms. If Meta fails to comply with the EU's demands to disable these features, it could face substantial fines. These penalties are designed to ensure compliance with the DSA's regulations, which focus on user protection and platform accountability.

This situation primarily moves Meta Platforms (META), as compliance could reduce user engagement and potentially impact advertising revenue generated from European users. Other social media and online advertising companies operating in the EU may also be affected if similar demands are made, as the DSA sets a precedent for platform design regulation across the bloc.