European Union: Adopted European Parliament report on addictive design of online services and consumer protection

On 12 December 2023, the European Parliament adopted a report on the addictive design of online services such as social media, streaming services, and online games, highlighting their potential adverse effect on mental health. The Parliament recommends that the Commission present new regulations on addictive design since they are currently insufficiently regulated in the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Artificial Intelligence Act, and the Unfair Commercial Practices Act. If not addressed by the Commission, the Parliament recommends that the Parliament use its right of legislative initiative rights. In particular, the Parliament recommends the regulation of digital products and services in order for them to be designed without dark patterns, misleading, and addictive design, including a digital right "not to be disturbed". Furthermore, in the context of the Commission's current review of consumer protection legislation, the Parliament proposes to prohibit addictive methods that are not included in the Unfair Commercial Practices Act, such as infinite scrolling.