The European Commission wants to require social media platforms to provide a button that lets users disable features such as endless scrolling and automatically playing videos. It is not proposing to ban those features for adults, leaving users to decide whether to turn them off. MEPs Kim van Sparrentak and Jeroen Lenaers said the approach did not go far enough and argued that platforms, rather than users, should bear responsibility for preventing manipulative design.

The Commission also wants influencers to disclose paid promotions and online sellers to obtain explicit permission before renewing subscriptions after a free trial. The proposals are intended to strengthen consumer protection online, where about 60% of purchases in the EU are made. They still require approval from the European Parliament and the 27 EU countries, so the rules would not take effect for more than a year.