Meta settles for $17B in landmark social media case

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Meta reaches nearly $17B settlement in landmark social media addiction case

Meta reaches nearly $17B settlement in landmark social media addiction case

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Meta pays $17B to settle lawsuit

Meta pays $17B to settle lawsuit

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Meta meets its match:

Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press file

Meta reached a settlement worth up to $17 billion in a case brough by state attorneys general accusing the company of intentionally making its platforms addictive to children. 

“Meta has agreed to make massive transformations that will reduce the risk of harm from its platforms — and will do it within months,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a statement Wednesday. The settlement still needs to be approved by a judge. 

According to a report by The Hill’s Miranda Nazzaro, California and 28 other states filed the lawsuit against Meta back in 2023, accusing the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of implementing features that make teens and younger children hooked to the apps.  

Playing by the rules: Meta’s chief legal officer C.J. Mohoney said that the settlement includes a “new set of rules governing teens’ use of social media.” 

Mahoney encouraged companies like TikTok and YouTube to follow suit when it comes to implementing child safety frameworks into their platforms.

Facebook and Instagram could see time limit restrictions for those younger than 18 and changes to the platforms’ notifications, according to Bonta. 

FIGHT GOES ON: On Tuesday, Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, became the latest company accused of failing to protect children. 

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday (R) filed a lawsuit alleging that Snapchat knowingly lied about the frequency of harmful content that appeared on the app, and that features like 24-hour posts and Snap Streaks can make children addicted. 

“Once they have you signed up and logged in, you are officially in their clutches,” Sunday said at a press conference on Tuesday. “From there, Snapchat essentially says good luck getting out.” 

According to Nazzaro, the lawsuit comes just weeks after the attorney general announced a complaint against TikTok for similar allegations. 

🔎 Follow Miranda Nazzaro’s Meta settlement reporting here. 

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