The European Commission has issued preliminary findings indicating that Instagram and Facebook, operated by Meta, have violated EU laws by not offering users straightforward methods to report illegal content, including child sexual abuse material and terrorism-related content. The Commission noted that Meta introduced unnecessary complexities in the reporting processes, utilizing design tactics that may confuse and deter users from effectively submitting complaints.
According to the Commission, the inadequacies in Meta’s reporting mechanisms constitute a breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA), raising concerns about their effectiveness in addressing illegal content. Meta has disputed these findings, asserting that it has complied with the DSA.
The Commission highlighted that both platforms lack a user-friendly “notice and action” mechanism that facilitates the reporting of illegal content. A senior official mentioned that the challenges faced by users in navigating the reporting systems hinder not only effectiveness but also user motivation to report issues.
Ongoing safety concerns regarding Meta’s products have been voiced by campaigners. Recent comments from a whistleblower alleged that many safety tools introduced for Instagram are inadequate, leaving young users vulnerable. Despite these allegations, Meta maintains that it offers robust tools for parental supervision and has implemented changes to increase user privacy and security.
The Commission also criticized Meta for complicating the appeals process for users whose content has been blocked, suggesting that it lacks a mechanism to allow users to provide additional information to back their appeals.
Additionally, TikTok and Meta have been found to be non-compliant with research access obligations, which prevent proper scrutiny regarding minors’ exposure to harmful content. The findings provide Meta with time to address these issues, with failure to comply potentially resulting in significant fines. Both companies have expressed their willingness to negotiate and clarify the implications of compliance with existing regulations.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/24/instagram-facebook-breach-eu-law-content-flagging