Meta · US Congress · U.S. · NPR Technology
Meta's multi-billion settlement publishes the next phase of national tech regulation
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Meta's settlement with states in a child safety case this week had a big payout, but the attorneys general have their eyes on a bigger prize: national regulation of social media companies.
Key facts
- When Meta agreed to settle a landmark child safety case this week, it said it would pay up to $17 billion in penalties
- Timothy Lytton, a law professor at Georgia State University, says that is in part because Big Tech is rich and powerful and has been successful in lobbying against regulation
- ROB BONTA: It's not about the money, although the money is important and significant
- SIMON: Before they get into this legal strategy, what kind of changes did Meta agree
Summary
When Meta agreed to settle a landmark child safety case this week, it said it would pay up to $17 billion in penalties. JOHN RUWITCH, BYLINE: Sure thing, Scott. So this case was a reaction to widespread concern that social media can be unhealthy for kids and has fueled a teen mental health crisis in America. The states argued in their case that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to kids. Look, the money is going to be used to fund things like mental health programs and after-school activities. Part of this settlement is an effort to get three other big social media platforms - Meta's main competitors - to sign on to similar use restrictions for kids.