Dutch Court Mandates Simpler Timeline Options on Meta Platforms

A Dutch court on Thursday mandated that Meta Platforms must provide simpler timeline options on Facebook and Instagram, allowing users to avoid profiling. The ruling comes after evaluating compliance with the European Union's Digital Services Act.

The court criticized the automatic reversion to profiled timelines as a 'dark pattern' that breaches users' rights to freedom of information, emphasizing the importance of choice ahead of the Netherlands' general election. Meta has two weeks to comply, ensuring users' timeline preferences remain consistent.

Meta announced plans to appeal, arguing that such decisions should reside with the European Commission. Digital rights group Bits of Freedom noted that the ruling underscores respect for user privacy, with spokesperson Maartje Knaap expressing disapproval of external control by tech giants.