Irish regulators are investigating whether Meta is using 'dark patterns' to steer people away from non-algorithmic feeds
Key takeaways
- Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland's internet watchdog, said Tuesday that it was responding to complaints the company was using "dark patterns" to prevent people from accessing alternative feeds on Facebook and Instagram.
- But according to Coimisiún na Meán, Meta may not be making such options "easily accessible" and may be intentionally steering users away from these choices (also known as a dark pattern.)
- If Meta is found to be on the wrong side of DSA, it could incur a substantial fine.
Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland's internet watchdog, said Tuesday that it was responding to complaints the company was using "dark patterns" to prevent people from accessing alternative feeds on Facebook and Instagram.
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) that went into effect in Europe in 2023, large platforms like Meta's are required to offer users alternatives to targeted feeds that rely on "profiling." The company added chronological options for Stories and Reels in the EU in response. But according to Coimisiún na Meán, Meta may not be making such options "easily accessible" and may be intentionally steering users away from these choices (also known as a dark pattern.)
"Coimisiún na Meán recognises the concerns that many people have about recommender systems, and the potential harm that these algorithms can potentially cause by repeatedly pushing harmful content into the feeds of users, especially children and young people," the regulator said in a statement. "Our message is clear: it is unacceptable for platforms to prevent people from using their rights under the law, or to try to manipulate people away from making empowered choices about whether or not recommender system feeds control what they see online."