The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is in breach of EU law. The tech company is accused of failing to prevent children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram, violating the Digital Services Act and online safety laws requiring sites to protect minors.
The charges are the result of a nearly two-year investigation. Regulators found that Meta did not have effective measures or controls to check a user's self-declared date of birth, meaning the company failed to enforce its own rules to restrict access for under-13s. According to EU regulators, one in ten children under the age of 13 is using Facebook or Instagram.
This charge is particularly notable as such violations were previously leveled only at adult content sites. The probe by the EU's executive arm could result in hefty fines. Meta can respond to the charges and take measures before the Commission issues a final decision.