We initiated summary proceedings against Meta. We're demanding that Meta offer users of Instagram and Facebook the option to choose a feed that is not based on profiling. In a statement of support, AI Forensics writes: "We consider this crucial for establishing online spaces in which users have control over their information environment, especially in politically sensitive times."

What is the case about?

Bits of Freedom is suing MetaMore on the case  for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). This law is intended to give back control and autonomy to users of online platforms. Among others, by giving them more control over their feed.

When determining what content users see, dominant platforms prioritize their own interests, namely the selling of ads on the basis of the interests and behavior of users. They try to keep users glued to the screen by showing them more and more extreme information. That is why the timeline based on user profiles is set as the default.

Luckily, users have the right to an alternative to this profiling feed. Such as a timeline showing only the content of people and organizations they follow, in chronological order. The problem? Meta does not allow users the option to set this feed as their preference. In addition, Meta makes it unnecessarily difficult to find and use it. This is in violation of the DSA.

Why is this relevant?

This is not a stand-alone issue. As Marc Faddoul, Director of AI Forensics, explains:

"We have ample experience researching Meta’s platforms. Most notably, our research revealing Meta’s systemic failure to moderate political ads, allowing pro-Russian propaganda to reach millions, lead to the EU Commission launching investigation proceedings into Meta’s breaches on political advertising, marking a significant test of the Digital Services Act’s effectiveness against foreign influence operations.

In addition, our research has shown how AI-generated content floods Instagram by gaming the algorithm through visual plausibility and viral potential; and how Meta approved 46k+ fraudulent health advertisements and displayed them 292M+ times to European users since 2023, demonstrating Meta’s failure to implement effective risk mitigation measures despite DSA obligations."

What's next?

The hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2025. The case is supported by Amnesty International, AI Forensics, Article 19, the Dutch consumer association Consumentenbond, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and EU Disinfo Lab, among others.