Ireland's media regulator, Coimisiún na Meáin, has launched formal investigations into Meta Platforms' Instagram and Facebook, citing concerns that the social media giant may be violating the European Union's Digital Services Act. The probe centers on whether users can easily control what they see online or if algorithms are steering them into highly personalized feeds.
The regulator has received complaints about possible 'dark patterns'-deceptive design features that could prevent users from choosing recommender feeds not based on personal profiling. John Evans, the regulator's digital services commissioner, highlighted 'the potential harm' these algorithms can cause, especially for children and young people, by repeatedly pushing harmful content.
Under the DSA, regulators can fine major online platforms up to 6% of their global turnover for breaches of online content rules. Meta, which employs over 3,000 people in Ireland, disputed any suggestion of wrongdoing. A spokesperson said the company has made 'substantial changes' to its processes and introduced an option in 2023 for European users to view content not based on their previous activity.
The investigations against Meta follow similar DSA actions in the past six months against X, TikTok, and Microsoft's LinkedIn. The European Commission previously charged TikTok in February over addictive features. These regulatory moves have drawn criticism from the U.S. government.