Meta Settles $16.68 Billion Lawsuit Over Child Data Collection
Meta Platforms has agreed to a $16.68 billion settlement with 29 US states over allegations of child data collection and platform design that could foster dependency among minors. The settlement was reached just before a federal trial began on August 12, which involved claims that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The states accused the company of misleading users about safety and improperly collecting personal information from minors. In addition to financial penalties, the states sought court orders for significant changes to Meta’s platforms, including preventing children from creating accounts. This case is part of a broader legal challenge against social media companies regarding their impact on youth mental health.
Published 3 days ago • 26 Aug 2026, 06:45 PM IST