Civil Rights Group sues Meta over user control of Facebook and Instagram

Bits of Freedom has initiated summary proceedings against Meta in anticipation of the parliamentary elections later this year. The organization advocating for civil rights and privacy is demanding that users of Meta’s social media platforms, which include Facebook and Instagram, have more control over the information they see. According to Bits of Freedom, Meta is violating European regulations.

Users are shown recommended posts by default, which are based on their user profiles. Under EU rules, social media platforms must allow users to view a chronological timeline that only includes posts from people and organizations they follow.

While this is technically possible, the complainants say it is too complicated. “Meta does not give users the option to set this as their default preference. Moreover, Meta makes it unnecessarily difficult to find and use this timeline,” Bits of Freedom said.

“It is bizarre that a few American tech billionaires can decide how we see the world every day in the Netherlands,” said the organization’s director, Evelyn Austin. “The covert surveillance and manipulation involved pose a risk to our democracy.”

According to Bits of Freedom, Meta is trying to keep social media users “glued to the screen by constantly serving them increasingly extreme information.” The organization pointed out that many young people use the platforms as information sources and called control over content essential for people’s personal development and participation in public debate.

“We reject any suggestion that we are violating the DSA,” Meta responded. The company said it has made adjustments to comply with the European Digital Services Act.

The hearing is on September 22.