Meta’s Instagram and Facebook Breach EU’s Illegal Content Rules, Preliminary Findings Show
The European Commission’s preliminary assessment of the Digital Services Act (DSA) has concluded that Meta’s platforms Instagram and Facebook are not fully complying with the Union’s obligations to remove illegal content promptly. The report, released this week, also notes that TikTok’s compliance is weaker, though the violations are less extensive than those identified for Meta.
Under the DSA, large online platforms are required to implement transparent content‑removal procedures, conduct risk assessments, and provide users with effective redress mechanisms. The Commission’s analysis indicates that Instagram and Facebook have failed to meet several of these criteria, particularly in the areas of systematic risk mitigation and the timely removal of hate speech and disinformation that is illegal under EU law. TikTok, while generally more responsive, still shows gaps in its reporting and data‑access obligations.
EU officials emphasized that the findings are preliminary and that the companies will have an opportunity to respond before any formal enforcement action is taken. Industry observers note that the DSA represents the first comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at holding tech giants accountable for the spread of illegal content across member states. The Commission may impose fines of up to 6% of a company’s global turnover if the violations are confirmed, a measure intended to incentivize swift compliance.
Meta has indicated that it is reviewing the Commission’s conclusions and will work with regulators to address the identified shortcomings. TikTok’s spokesperson similarly said the company is committed to meeting all DSA requirements. The next steps involve a detailed dialogue between the Commission and the platforms, followed by a final assessment that could lead to binding corrective measures. Analysts suggest that the outcome will set an important precedent for how the EU enforces digital‑service obligations across the continent.
