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The European Commission issued preliminary findings on April 28 concluding that Meta violated the EU's Digital Services Act by failing to prevent children under 13 from accessing Instagram and Facebook, following a nearly two-year investigation launched in May 2024.

The European Commission issued preliminary findings on April 28 concluding that Meta violated the EU's Digital Services Act by failing to prevent children under 13 from accessing Instagram and Facebook, following a nearly two-year investigation launched in May 2024.

EU officials found that minors can create accounts by entering a false birth date, with no verification controls in place. Meta's reporting tool for underage users requires up to seven clicks to access and often triggers no follow-up action.

EU officials found that minors can create accounts by entering a false birth date, with no verification controls in place. Meta's reporting tool for underage users requires up to seven clicks to access and often triggers no follow-up action.

The Commission said Meta's risk assessments were incomplete, contradicting evidence that roughly 10 to 12 percent of children under 13 access Instagram or Facebook, and that Meta disregarded research on risks such as cyberbullying, grooming and inappropriate content.

The Commission said Meta's risk assessments were incomplete, contradicting evidence that roughly 10 to 12 percent of children under 13 access Instagram or Facebook, and that Meta disregarded research on risks such as cyberbullying, grooming and inappropriate content.

Meta disputed the findings, saying Instagram and Facebook "are intended for people aged 13 and older" and that it has "measures in place to detect and remove accounts from anyone under that age," describing age verification as "an industry-wide challenge."

Meta disputed the findings, saying Instagram and Facebook "are intended for people aged 13 and older" and that it has "measures in place to detect and remove accounts from anyone under that age," describing age verification as "an industry-wide challenge."

If the Commission's preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 6 percent of its total worldwide annual turnover. Meta reported global revenue of $201 billion for 2025.

If the Commission's preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 6 percent of its total worldwide annual turnover. Meta reported global revenue of $201 billion for 2025.

The EU has developed an age-verification app allowing users to confirm their age without disclosing personal data to platforms. Several countries, including Australia, France and Spain, have announced or implemented social media restrictions for minors.

The EU has developed an age-verification app allowing users to confirm their age without disclosing personal data to platforms. Several countries, including Australia, France and Spain, have announced or implemented social media restrictions for minors.

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Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms

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EU: Meta Broke Child Safety Rules on Instagram, Facebook

EU: Meta Broke Child Safety Rules on Instagram, Facebook

Meta found in breach of EU: lawMeta forBroke failingChild toSafety keepRules childrenon offInstagram, platformsFacebook

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EU: Meta Broke Child Safety Rules on Instagram, Facebook

Meta found in breach of EU: lawMeta forBroke failingChild toSafety keepRules childrenon offInstagram, platformsFacebook

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