Portuguese group D3 sues Meta, TikTok and YouTube over addictive design
Portuguese digital rights group D3 filed lawsuits against Meta, ByteDance and Alphabet in Lisbon, alleging that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube use artificial intelligence-driven recommendation systems and design features including infinite scrolling and autoplay to create addictive behavioural feedback loops similar to gambling techniques. The collective actions seek to hold the platforms accountable and force them to provide safer user experiences.
What happened
Portuguese digital rights group D3 filed four collective actions in Lisbon's Civil Court between April and May 2026 against Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, accusing the platforms of designing features that keep users hooked.
D3 highlighted features including infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, persistent notifications and highly personalised recommendation systems as creating behavioural feedback loops akin to techniques used in the gambling industry.
Reported impact
D3 stated that the four platforms had a combined reach of 33 million monthly users in Portugal.
Index analysis
The lawsuits follow mounting scrutiny of social media on both sides of the Atlantic, including a February EU charge against TikTok over allegedly addictive features and an August settlement by Meta paying up to $18 billion to resolve U.S. addiction claims.
Governance controls
D3 President Ricardo Lafuente stated that 'Platforms do not have to be hyper-addictive' and called for 'rules that are robust, properly enforced and directed at those who persist in ignoring them.'
A Google spokesperson said providing 'a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work' and pointed to tools such as 'take a break' and bedtime reminders designed to help users manage viewing habits.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.