On September 16, 2026, the Delhi High Court pressed the Centre on policies to tackle 'addiction-causing' features in apps. The focus shifts from harmful content moderation to the subtle design choices like infinite scroll and autoplay that keep users hooked. For product managers and engineers, this signals a potential new regulatory front beyond traditional content policies.
How We Got Here
This push follows Meta's own internal 2018 research, which flagged 'Facebook "Addiction"' and difficulties in limiting use due to feed consumption. Several 2023 and 2025 studies have since linked infinite scroll and autoplay to cognitive fatigue and 'scroll immersion'.
The Numbers
- The proposed policy would mandate platforms to assess the behavioral risks of their design.
- It would require platforms to introduce standardized safeguards by default, not opt-in.
- Platforms would need to undergo independent scrutiny regarding their engagement-driven designs.
- Meta's 2018 internal research identified 'Facebook "Addiction"' and proposed reducing notifications to curb problematic use.
- A 2025 Acta Psychologica study found 'scroll immersion' linked to attention difficulties and cognitive fatigue.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For product managers designing features for India's 700 million internet users, this signals a potential shift in how 'growth' metrics are perceived and regulated.
The Take
This will force product teams in Bangalore and Hyderabad to re-evaluate core design principles that prioritize engagement over user well-being. Expect some platforms to quietly start A/B testing less addictive defaults well before any law passes.
Source:
MediaNama ↗