Meta Proposes $18 Billion Settlement Over Teen Safety and Data-Collection Claims

Summary

Meta has proposed a settlement of up to $18 billion with 52 state attorneys general over allegations of compulsive-use design and unlawful collection of children’s data. Court approval is pending; the deal includes teen-use limits and stronger age verification.

Key points

The proposed settlement resolves a 2023 lawsuit by a bipartisan coalition of 52 state attorneys general; it still requires court approval.
The lawsuit alleged Facebook and Instagram were designed to encourage compulsive use among minors and that Meta unlawfully collected data from children under 13.
Proposed safeguards include default daily use limits, nighttime restrictions, stronger parental controls, and additional age-verification measures.
The agreement also calls for an independent auditor to oversee compliance and an independent research foundation focused on teen well-being.
Meta says the payments could total about $18 billion over ten years; $5.3 billion is conditional on YouTube and TikTok adopting similar changes and making matching payments.

Article Details

Event Type: Proposed legal settlement between Meta and a bipartisan coalition of 52 state attorneys general over allegations concerning harms to minors on social media.
Impact: The proposed agreement, which is awaiting court approval, would require new teen safety controls on Facebook and Instagram and establish independent compliance oversight and a research foundation. Meta says the agreement involves approximately $18 billion in payments over ten years, with some payments contingent on YouTube and TikTok adopting similar measures. The underlying claims—that the platforms encouraged compulsive use and that Meta unlawfully collected data from children under 13—are allegations.