Meta has agreed to pay up to £14 billion and to introduce changes to Facebook and its other online services, settling a federal lawsuit that alleged teenagers are being harmed by social media.
Mark Zuckerberg’s company had been contending with a trial concerning the mental and social effects of social media for some time. The social media giant has now managed to reach a settlement that includes functional concessions alongside a substantial financial penalty.
Who is involved in the agreement
The settlement was reached with 48 state attorneys general across the United States, including four jurisdictions. Two states stand apart from the agreement. New Mexico prevailed in a similar trial earlier in the spring, while Florida chose not to take part in the settlement.
What the settlement covers
Beyond the financial element, the agreement commits Meta to making adjustments to Facebook and its other social platforms. These concessions form part of the resolution to the lawsuit, which centred on claims that young users were being adversely affected by time spent on social media services.
Instagram remains one of Meta’s principal online social properties, sitting within the wider portfolio of platforms addressed by the case. The lawsuit brought the company’s handling of teenage users into sharp focus, tying together concerns raised by attorneys general across the country.
The scale of the payout
The figure of up to £14 billion represents one of the more significant sums tied to a case of this nature. The agreement draws to a close a legal process that had extended over a considerable period, removing a long-standing point of contention for the company. With 48 state attorneys general signing up to the terms, the settlement covers the majority of jurisdictions that had pursued action against the firm.
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Image: appleinsider.com
