{
  "id": 3559051,
  "title": "Meta's $18bn settlement a landmark victory for US states",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/metas-18bn-settlement-a-landmark-victory-for-us-states",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T17:44:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd68q3wynnqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Meta has reached a substantial settlement with US states and territories, agreeing to pay up to $18 billion to resolve claims that its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, harmed children. If approved by a California judge, the payment will be the company's largest to date in child safety litigation. The settlement includes a range of changes aimed at better protecting children online, such as default daily time limits and night-time blocks. California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that this is a significant step towards cleaning up an industry that has been detrimental to children. Meta, however, maintains that it has been working to enhance the safety of its platforms for young users. Notably, features like night mode, which blocks notifications during specific hours, will now be enabled by default. Other measures include a two-hour daily usage limit for teens, hidden likes, and a school mode that mutes notifications during school hours. These changes are part of a broader effort to address concerns raised by states that accuse Meta of violating child privacy laws and targeting young users.",
  "summary": "The deal has been reached during a California federal court trial over claims brought by US states.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/meta-reaches-17-billion-settlement-with-states-in-landmark-trial-over",
        "published": "2026-08-26T13:53:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/meta-reaches-17-billion-settlement-with-states-in-landmark-trial-over-3534656",
        "published": "2026-08-26T15:37:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/meta-reaches-17-billion-settlement-with-states-in-landmark-trial-over-3545163",
        "published": "2026-08-26T16:42:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Polygon",
        "title": "Meta’s 'Social Media Addiction' Lawsuit Ends In Shocking $17B Settlement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/metas-social-media-addiction-lawsuit-ends-in-shocking-17b-settlement",
        "published": "2026-08-26T17:03:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Meta settles in for $17B in landmark social media case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/meta-settles-in-for-17b-in-landmark-social-media-case",
        "published": "2026-08-26T17:04:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Meta, US states agree $16.7 billion settlement in landmark teen safety case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/meta-us-states-agree-16-7-billion-settlement-in-landmark-teen-safety",
        "published": "2026-08-26T17:38:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Meta reaches $16.68 billion settlement over social media harms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/meta-reaches-16-68-billion-settlement-over-social-media-harms",
        "published": "2026-08-26T18:32:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}