EU finds Meta failing to keep under-13s off Facebook and Instagram

The European Union has warned that Meta may be failing to stop children under 13 from accessing its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, raising concerns about exposure to inappropriate content and the risk of a significant financial penalty.

.....

Following a probe under the Digital Services Act, EU regulators said Meta’s safeguards were ineffective, noting that children could easily bypass age restrictions by entering false birth dates and that reporting tools for underage users were difficult to access and use.

“Terms and conditions should not be mere written statements, but rather the basis for concrete action to protect users, including children,” said Henna Virkkunen.

Under its own policies, Meta requires users to be at least 13 years old, but EU officials said enforcement measures were insufficient and failed to adequately assess risks posed to younger users.

If the findings are confirmed, the EU could impose a fine of up to six percent of Meta’s global annual turnover. However, the company could avoid penalties by implementing corrective measures.

Meta has rejected the claims, stating it already has systems in place to detect and remove underage users and will continue to engage with EU authorities.

The investigation, launched in May 2024, is part of broader EU efforts to regulate Big Tech and improve online safety for children. Regulators are also examining issues such as platform design, including features they describe as potentially “addictive,” and their impact on users’ wellbeing.

The EU is considering further measures, including a bloc-wide age limit on social media use, as pressure mounts following similar restrictions introduced in other countries.