Meta agrees to $16.68 billion settlement with 29 US states over child data collection, teen 'addiction by design'

{"

Allegations Against Meta Platforms":"Meta Platforms has been accused of deliberately designing Instagram and Facebook in ways that could make children dependent on the platforms, while also misleading users about their safety and improperly collecting personal information from minors. The company has rejected these allegations, maintaining that it has taken significant steps to safeguard children using its platforms.","

Federal Trial and Settlement":"The case was set to become a major test of allegations that social media companies have harmed young users. The agreement came shortly before the trial got underway, with jury selection beginning on August 12. A federal appeals court had rejected Meta’s request to stop the proceedings just days earlier.","

State Lawsuits and Penalties":"The states involved in the lawsuit were California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. They had not specified an exact figure, but during a pre-trial hearing, they indicated that the amount was likely to be closer to $200 billion. The states were seeking further damages and court orders requiring Meta to make substantial changes to its platforms, including preventing children from creating accounts."}