Instagram, Facebook violates EU “Digital Services Act” over illegal content

Social media apps, Instagram and Facebook have breached European Union digital regulations by failing to provide effective systems for reporting illegal content including terrorist material and child sexual abuse.

The European Commission announced through preliminary findings on Friday, October 24, 2025, that the Meta's platforms employ unnecessarily complex reporting procedures and potentially deceptive design patterns that discourage user complaints.

The EU's executive body determined both social networks violated the Digital Services Act through reporting mechanisms that could be "confusing and dissuading" to users attempting to flag prohibited content.

Commission investigators discovered Meta's systems contained multiple unnecessary steps that potentially rendered illegal content reporting "ineffective" despite the company's denial of any legal violations.

The preliminary assessment also identified shortcomings in social media apps parent company appeal process for suspended accounts or removed content.

The commission found the existing mechanism prevents users from submitting explanatory evidence during appeals, substantially limiting the system's effectiveness for addressing mistaken content moderation decisions.

EU officials simultaneously declared TikTok and Meta in breach of researcher data access requirements, noting academics receive only "partial or unreliable data" when investigating minors' exposure to harmful content.

The ongoing investigation conducted with Ireland's digital regulator could ultimately yield fines reaching 6% of Meta's global annual revenue if compliance issues remain unresolved.