Meta Agrees to $17 Billion Settlement Over Child Safety Lawsuit

California Attorney General and States Reach Settlement with Meta

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement agreement between social media giant Meta and a consortium of states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, over allegations of social media addiction among children.

Claims Against Meta

The lawsuit accused Meta of designing its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, to be addictive for children and hiding the associated risks. The states argued Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data from users under 13, despite policies preventing their participation.

Settlement Details

The proposed settlement requires Meta to pay $17 billion in penalties and implement significant platform changes to ensure minor safety. These measures include:

• Two-hour daily limit for users under 18
• Nighttime block from midnight to 6 am
• Parental control over lifting restrictions
• Blocking notification alerts during night and school hours
• Banning display of likes and reactions for minors
• Prohibiting cosmetic surgery image filters for minors
• Offering non-personalized feeds to young users

An independent auditor with broad access to information will oversee compliance, and Meta faces an injunction against misleading safety claims.

Testimony and Trial Developments

The trial featured key testimony from insiders, including whistleblower Arturo Béjar, who highlighted Meta’s focus on user growth at the expense of young users’ safety. Instagram head Adam Mosseri faced scrutiny over ineffective safety features, like “Take a Break.” The settlement announcement arrived midway through the trial, which began last week and was set to continue until October.

Approval and Wider Impact

The settlement awaits approval from Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. This case is part of a broader movement likened to the tobacco lawsuits of the 1990s, potentially leading to widespread industry changes and heightened awareness of social media’s impact on minors.