Meta Platforms has reached a settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit filed by US state authorities, who accused the company of deliberately fostering social media addiction among minors. The payout could reach $18 billion, according to infohub.kz.
As reported by RBC citing Bloomberg, under the settlement, Meta has committed to implementing additional protective measures for teenagers, including limiting time spent on its platforms, blocking access to apps during nighttime hours, and disabling notifications during school hours. Additionally, some safety settings will become unavailable for changes without parental consent.
Under the terms of the deal, the company will pay states $12.19 billion over ten years. This amount could rise to $17.1 billion if other platforms join similar commitments. Separately, Meta has agreed to pay up to $1 billion to the state of Texas.
The agreement must be approved by a court. Meta denies the allegations and emphasizes that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.