Meta Agrees to $18 Billion Settlement Over Child Safety Claims

Meta has reached an $18 billion settlement with 48 US states, the District of Columbia, and three US territories to resolve claims that its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, have harmed children. A California judge approved the settlement, which is the largest payment by Meta related to child safety litigation to date. The settlement requires Meta to implement changes aimed at better protecting children online, including default daily time limits and night-time blocks. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated this settlement represents a significant step towards addressing issues in the industry that affect children. Meta has denied wrongdoing but agreed to make the payment in annual installments over ten years. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers noted that the settlement aims to provide monetary relief and change conduct to address the negative impacts of the platforms. The initial lawsuit was filed in 2023 by 29 states, alleging violations of child privacy laws. New Mexico was not part of the settlement, where a federal judge previously ruled against Meta, labeling it a 'public nuisance' and imposing nearly $1 billion in fines. During the trial, state lawyers presented internal Meta documents indicating the company was aware of the presence of young users on its platforms and did not take adequate measures to protect them. Meta's head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, testified about the company's efforts to enhance safety for younger users. The settlement includes several new features for teen users, such as a default two-hour daily time limit, hidden likes, and a 'school mode' that mutes notifications during school hours. Meta's chief legal officer, CJ Mahoney, emphasized that the framework negotiated will empower parents to manage their children's access to the platforms. Bonta encouraged other social media platforms to adopt similar safety measures, suggesting that his office would focus on broader changes in the industry if necessary. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb described the settlement as a significant public health victory.