Meta Platforms has negotiated extensive settlements with U.S. state authorities concerning its handling of young users on its social media platforms, reaching an agreement that imposes court-enforceable limits on teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram. These settlements, totaling approximately $18 billion, resolve various claims under state consumer-protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The principal agreement involves 47 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories, accounting for up to $17.1 billion, while Texas has independently secured a settlement exceeding $1 billion. More details are available from JURIST.
The agreement seeks to end litigation accusing Meta of implementing platform features that encourage excessive usage among children and teenagers, misleading the public about these risks, and collecting data from individuals under 13 without complying with COPPA. Under the terms, Meta is required to enforce a two-hour daily usage limit for teen users, restrict access between midnight and 6 a.m., limit notifications during school and nighttime hours, and enhance parental controls. Additionally, Meta is tasked with providing non-personalized feed options, hiding like counts by default, and limiting the use of certain filters that alter appearance.
Ensuring adherence to these stipulations, an independent auditor will have access to Meta’s relevant data, systems, and personnel, providing reports to a bipartisan committee of state attorneys general. These reports will be summarized publicly, while the courts involved will retain authority to enforce or adjust the consent judgments. The majority of these obligations are set to remain effective for a decade.
These efforts follow a ruling by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who in June dismissed Meta’s pretrial motion to dispose of the states’ claims. She identified substantial disputes over alleged deception and harmful platform design, pointing out that Meta had not met COPPA requirements regarding parental notice and consent. This agreement doesn’t constitute an admission of wrongdoing by Meta and requires federal judicial approval to proceed.
While the settlements restrict enforcement to the participating states and courts, they preserve the right of individuals, schools, and other entities to pursue claims independently. The settlements explicitly refrain from setting broader legal standards beyond the jurisdictions involved.