Meta found in breach of EU law over ‘ineffective’ complaints system for flagging illegal content

European Commission initial finding says Facebook and Instagram introduced unnecessary steps for users to submit reports

Instagram and Facebook have breached EU law by failing to provide users with simple ways to complain or flag illegal content, including child sexual abuse material and terrorist content, the European Commission has said.

In a preliminary finding on Friday, the EU's executive body said Meta, the $1.8tn (1.4tn) California company that runs Instagram and Facebook, had introduced unnecessary steps in processes for users to submit reports.