Meta agrees to pay $17B, adopt kids’ safety features to resolve US lawsuits
The tentative agreement is a massive concession from the tech giant.
California has reached a tentative $17 billion settlement with Meta, the social media giant, to address lawsuits from U.S. states. This settlement, proposed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, would compel Meta to implement significant changes aimed at safeguarding minors' online experience. Under the proposed terms, Meta would restrict users under 18 to no more than two hours of Instagram and Facebook time daily, with complete access blocked during late-night hours unless overridden by parents.
Additionally, Meta would be required to hide "likes" and reactions to posts, remove "beauty filters," and prevent personalized feeds from using algorithms to maximize user engagement. The settlement, which must still be approved by a federal judge, would require Meta to report to an independent auditor and enforce stricter age verification measures to identify young users.
The deal, if approved, would be a significant concession from Meta, a company known for its wealth and influence in the tech industry. California anticipates receiving between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion over ten years through the settlement, with state lawmakers deciding how to allocate the funds. Texas, Florida, and New Mexico have not yet been included in the settlement terms.
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