Portugal's digital rights association D3 filed lawsuits against Meta's Facebook and Instagram. D3 also filed suits against TikTok and YouTube. The lawsuits allege intentional design of addictive platforms.
D3 filed the collective action lawsuits with Lisbon's Civil Court. The suits accuse the tech giants of using features like infinite scrolling. They also cite autoplay to keep users hooked.
The suits claim these design choices create behavioral loops. These loops are similar to those used in the gambling industry. They can be detrimental to users' health.
D3's legal action seeks to hold the platforms accountable. It aims to compel them to create a safer user experience. This case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges. These challenges target the addictive nature of social media platforms in Europe and the U.S.