Meta, US states agree US$16.7bil settlement in landmark teen safety case
The settlement includes new limits on teenagers' use of Facebook and Instagram, with safeguards that will substantially change how the apps work for young people.
In a landmark settlement in California, Meta has agreed to pay US$16.7 billion to US states and implement new restrictions on teenage usage of Facebook and Instagram, according to a court filing announced on Wednesday. The proposed settlement resolves claims that Meta intentionally designed its platforms to attract and keep hold of young users, downplayed the risks, and unlawfully gathered data from children under 13.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the outcome "real change, real transparency, and real enforceable protections for children." The agreement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Meta, which consistently denies the allegations. The settlement requires court approval to take effect. Key provisions include a default nighttime block that will automatically restrict teenagers from accessing Facebook and Instagram between midnight and 6am local time.
Additionally, teenage accounts will be capped at two hours of cumulative daily use across Meta's apps. The settlement concludes a trial that has been ongoing for two weeks, during which Instagram's Adam Mosseri admitted to promoting new safety tools for teens without revealing low adoption rates from early testing several years ago.
Other witnesses testified that Meta was aware the tools were ineffective and even designed to fail. Mark Zuckerberg, the Meta founder and CEO, was expected to testify as well.
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