EU crackdown on Meta: Facebook, Instagram charged over under-13 safety gaps

Facebook and Instagram, social media platforms owned by Meta, are once again under fire due to inaction related to protecting children.

On Wednesday, the European Union Commission slammed Instagram and Facebook with various charges under the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to the EU regulators, these social media platforms are not doing enough to prevent kids under 13 from accessing both platforms.

The EU is also urging the big tech companies to put more efforts to combat the menace of online abuse and harmful content widely circulating on social media platforms.

According to unsettling statistics, around 12-13 percent under-13 children have access to Facebook and Instagram in Europe, putting them at great risk of digital abuse.

"Our preliminary findings show that Instagram and ‌Facebook ⁠are doing very little to prevent children below this age from accessing their services," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen issued a statement.

"Terms and conditions should not be mere ​written statements, but ​rather the ⁠basis for concrete action to protect users – including children," she added.

As per Commission observations, Meta’s platforms must work on changing their risk assessment approach along with putting robust measures in place to curb children's access to Facebook and Instagram. Moreover, those who already have access, the minors must be identified and removed from the services.

In the case of violation of DSA rules, the tech companies could face a penalty of as much as 60 percent of their global annual turnover. However, Meta can respond to these charges and take effective steps before the EU issues a definite decision.