The European Union passed legislation in 2023 requiring all portable electronic devices to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027. At first glance, the rule appears to have major implications for smartphones. However, not every device will be required to feature an easily removable battery. An amendment to the regulation states that devices are exempt if their batteries can retain at least 83% of their original capacity after 500 charge cycles and at least 80% after 1,000 charge cycles, provided they also carry an IP rating for dust and water resistance. In simpler terms, smartphones that can maintain at least 80% battery health after roughly three years of use and offer IP-certified water and dust resistance won’t need to adopt easily replaceable batteries. Fortunately for manufacturers, most modern smartphones and tablets already meet these requirements. Nearly all flagship models do, and even many midrange devices are capable of achieving the same battery ...
The European Union (EU) has told Meta that its social media platforms could be breaking the law. Officials say the company has made Instagram and Facebook too addictive, especially for young people.
The EU started looking into this back in May 2024. They were worried about how features like endless scrolling, videos that play automatically, constant notifications, and tailored content recommendations keep people glued to their screens. After months of investigation, the EU has now released its early conclusions. These findings say that Meta did not do enough to check how these features might harm users’ mental and physical health, particularly for children and vulnerable adults.
The EU argues that these deliberate design choices push people into bad habits. They make it hard to stop using the apps, even when users want to. The commission also pointed out that short video formats like Reels and Stories add to the problem.
Meta has pushed back against these claims. The company told CNBC that it disagrees with the EU’s early findings. It said the officials ignored the work it has already done to protect younger users since the investigation began. Meta mentioned its new Teen Accounts feature. This tool lets parents block app access at night and set a daily limit of 15 minutes for their children.
But the European Union is not convinced. Officials said these safety tools do not really solve the problem. Teenagers can easily ignore the time limits. And the parental controls only work if parents are tech-savvy or have enough free time to learn how to use them. The EU said this makes the measures ineffective against the risks.
The commission has clear demands. It wants Meta to change how its apps work by default. That means turning off auto-play videos and endless scrolling unless users choose to turn them on. It also wants the company to introduce regular screen time breaks and make its recommendation systems less focused on keeping people engaged.
Meta now has a chance to review the evidence and respond to challenge the findings. But if the EU confirms its decision, Meta could be looking at a fine of up to 6 percent of its yearly global income.
This article, EU says FB and IG designs are too ‘addictive’ for users, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to's.
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