Meta agrees to $18bn settlement with US states over child harm claims

Meta has agreed to a $18bn settlement with 48 US states, the District of Columbia, and three US territories to resolve claims that its platforms Facebook and Instagram harmed children. The settlement, approved by a California federal judge, includes monetary payments over 10 years and a host of new safety features for teen users, such as default daily time limits, night-time notification blocks, and hiding likes. Meta denies wrongdoing. The settlement came during a trial in Oakland, California, where state lawyers argued Meta knew minors were using its platforms and did little to prevent it. New Mexico was not part of the settlement, having previously won a separate ruling against Meta. The deal is seen as a landmark in child safety litigation against social media companies.