EU Finds Meta Violated DSA on Under-13 Access, Faces 6% Fines at $671.53

The European Commission issued preliminary findings on April 29, 2026, charging Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram with breaching the Digital Services Act due to inadequate protections blocking children under 13. A two-year probe uncovered 10-12% of European under-13s accessing the platforms via false birth dates, weak verification, and a reporting tool needing up to seven clicks with poor follow-up. Meta disputes the charges, plans to respond, and cites AI investments, but risks fines up to 6% of global turnover, heightening regulatory overhang and share pressure.