tech
Meta agrees to major changes to Facebook and Instagram as it settles US trial over teen addiction for up to $17bn
US tech giant agrees to establish further protections for teens such as daily usage limits and blocks on nighttime use
TL;DR
- Meta settled a lawsuit with dozens of US states regarding alleged harm to children through its social media platforms.
- The company agreed to implement safeguards for teenage users, including daily usage limits and nighttime use blocks.
- The settlement requires Meta to pay up to $17 billion, divided among the states over ten years.
- States accused Meta of designing addictive products that led to mental health issues in young people.
- Allegations also included unlawful collection of data on children under 13 without parental permission.
- Meta denies wrongdoing and calls for industry-wide solutions from competitors like TikTok, Snap, and YouTube.
- The settlement avoids a major trial in California.
- Previous lawsuits have resulted in significant payouts for Meta, including a $6 million order in one case and nearly $1 billion in another related to child sexual exploitation.