Missouri to receive up to $150 million in $17.1 billion Meta settlement
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Missouri is expected to receive between $100 million and $150 million as part of a $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta Platforms Inc. over allegations involving the safety of children on Facebook and Instagram.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced the settlement Wednesday. The agreement includes 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The states alleged Meta designed Instagram with addictive features, exposed young users to mental health risks and misled the public about the safety of its platforms. The settlement also resolves claims related to Meta’s sharing of nonpublic Facebook user information with third parties, including Cambridge Analytica.
“Missouri is unwavering in its commitment to ensure major tech platforms take responsibility for the safety of America’s children,” Hanaway said.
In addition to the financial settlement, Meta will be required to implement new safety measures for minors using Facebook and Instagram.
The changes include a combined two-hour daily time limit across Facebook and Instagram for children, along with mandatory pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use and again after 60 and 90 minutes.
Children will also be blocked from accessing the platforms from midnight to 6 a.m.
During the school year, push notifications for minors will be disabled on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The settlement also requires stronger age-verification measures and parental controls, as well as additional safeguards against bullying and content involving eating disorders, suicide and self-harm.
Meta must also limit certain social comparison features for young users, including beauty filters and visible “like” counts.
An independent auditor and the states involved in the settlement will regularly assess the implementation and effectiveness of the changes.
The settlement follows a nationwide investigation that began in 2021 into the effects of social media platforms on children and teenagers.
Hanaway said the agreement should serve as a model for other social media companies.
“Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms should follow this example so every child, no matter where they spend time online, benefits from the same level of protection,” Hanaway said.
