The European Commission formally charged Meta on April 29, 2026, under the Digital Services Act (DSA), finding that the company’s Facebook and Instagram platforms failed to effectively prevent children under 13 from registering and using their services, in violation of EU legal requirements for online platform protection of minors.

Core of the Charges

According to reports from Reuters and The New York Times, EU regulators determined that despite Meta’s claims of implementing measures to restrict underage use, the actual enforcement has been seriously inadequate. The European Commission identified systemic deficiencies in Meta’s age verification mechanisms, content moderation, and risk assessment practices, which have allowed a significant number of children below the legal minimum age to easily access Facebook and Instagram.

This charge represents one of the most significant enforcement actions taken by the EU under the DSA framework. The DSA, which came into full effect in 2023, requires large online platforms designated as “Very Large Online Platforms” (VLOPs) to meet higher standards of duty of care regarding user safety, particularly for minors.

Potential Consequences

If the charges are upheld, Meta could face fines of up to 7% of its global annual revenue. Based on Meta’s 2025 annual revenue of over $130 billion, the maximum penalty could exceed $9 billion. Additionally, Meta may be required to implement remedial measures, including improving age verification systems, strengthening content filtering, and increasing transparency reporting.

Meta’s Response

According to Startup Fortune, Meta stated it will actively respond to the charges. The company has previously said it has invested significant resources in minor protection, including parental control tools and content restriction features. However, EU regulators argue these measures have had limited practical effect in preventing young children from registering.

Broader Regulatory Trends

This charge reflects growing global focus on tech giants’ responsibilities for protecting minors. The EU has previously fined Meta multiple times for data protection and antitrust violations. The child safety charge under the DSA framework marks an expansion of EU regulatory focus from data privacy to platform content safety, sending a clear policy signal to other technology companies.

Source: The New York Times, Reuters, Arise News