EU accuses Meta of allowing children under 13 on platforms

EU regulators accuse Meta of failing to protect children under 13 on Facebook and Instagram, citing systemic violations of digital safety rules. | Contesto: cronaca

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• EU accuses Meta of allowing children under 13 on platforms

Contesto

The European Union formally accused Meta on Monday of allowing children under the age of 13 to create accounts on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, in violation of the bloc’s strict digital safety laws. The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said preliminary findings from an investigation show that Meta’s age-verification systems are inadequate, exposing minors to potential harm. The case marks one of the most significant enforcement actions under the Digital Services Act, which requires tech companies to take robust measures to protect young users. The allegations center on Meta’s failure to prevent children below the minimum age of 13 from signing up for its services. Under EU law, platforms must implement effective age checks and restrict access to content that could be inappropriate or harmful to minors. The Commission’s investigation found that Meta’s current tools, which rely on self-reported age data, are insufficient to block underage users. This has raised concerns that thousands of children may be active on the platforms without parental consent or adequate safeguards. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has faced repeated scrutiny over its handling of child safety. In previous years, the company introduced features such as parental controls and age-verification prompts, but regulators argue these measures have fallen short. The EU’s action comes amid a broader crackdown on Big Tech, with officials emphasizing that companies must prioritize user safety over engagement metrics. The DSA, which took effect in 2023, empowers the Commission to impose fines of up to 6% of a company’s global annual revenue for non-compliance. The implications of this case extend beyond Meta. If the EU’s preliminary findings are confirmed, it could set a precedent for how other social media platforms are held accountable for protecting children. Advocacy groups have welcomed the move, calling it a necessary step to hold tech giants responsible for systemic failures. However, some critics warn that overly strict regulations could stifle innovation or push companies to adopt intrusive surveillance measures. The balance between...

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Categoria: cronaca