The Surveillance State Social Media Enabled

The European Commission’s scathing report on Meta’s social media platforms has exposed the darker side of our addiction to online connectivity. This exposure reveals that Meta’s obsession with data collection and targeted advertising is not just a business model, but an integral part of its corporate DNA.

One striking aspect of this story is the sheer scale of Meta’s efforts to embed itself into users’ lives. The company has developed virtual reality headsets and AI-powered fitness coaching devices designed to collect vast amounts of data on users’ every move, thought, and emotion. This is not a matter of making social media more engaging or addictive; it’s a deliberate strategy to create a surveillance state that can be monetized at will.

The Commission’s demand for Meta to disable features like autoplay and infinite scroll by default acknowledges that these designs are manipulative tools. However, what’s even more disturbing is the company’s apparent willingness to push the boundaries of acceptable data collection. Recent patent applications for AI-powered smart glasses and fitness coaching devices demonstrate this trend.

Meta’s assertion that it’s committed to providing safe online experiences for teens raises questions about its genuine concern for their well-being. The company has made $55 billion in advertising revenue from its social media platforms, which makes it hard to believe that it would suddenly prioritize the mental health of young users.

A recent court filing in California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey highlights the potential penalties Meta could face if found to have designed its platforms to addict young users. While a $1.4 trillion penalty is staggering, Meta has enough resources to absorb such a hit and continue collecting data for profit.

Regulators will need to hold companies like Meta accountable for their actions. This also raises questions about our own complicity in perpetuating a system that prioritizes profit over people’s well-being. As we move forward, it’s time to demand more from tech giants and challenge them to put users’ interests ahead of their bottom line.

The irony of Meta exploring AI devices that collect even more data while competing with frontier labs is not lost on anyone who’s been paying attention. This is a classic case of hiding in plain sight, where companies like Meta use innovation as a smoke screen for their true intentions: surveillance and control.

As we watch the drama unfold, it’s worth recalling Henna Virkkunen’s words: “Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms.” For once, let’s hold Meta to its word.