The European Union has charged Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, with breaching child safety rules. Regulators said the platforms failed to adequately prevent children under 13 from accessing their services. The move follows a two-year investigation under the Digital Services Act.
According to the European Commission, Meta did not enforce strong enough measures to restrict underage users. Officials said around 10 to 12 percent of children under 13 in Europe still use the platforms. They added that current detection and removal systems are insufficient.
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EU tech officials stated that online terms and conditions must be backed by effective enforcement. They said platforms are required to actively protect users, especially minors, from harm. The Commission also demanded stronger risk assessment methods and improved safety systems.
Meta said it disagrees with the preliminary findings and is preparing a response. The company stated it already uses systems to detect and remove underage accounts. It also said it plans to introduce additional safety measures in the near future.
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If found in violation, Meta could face fines of up to six percent of its global annual revenue. However, regulators said a final decision is still months away. The case reflects growing global pressure on tech companies to improve child safety online.