The technology multinational Meta is in the second week of a trial that is being held in Oakland (California), in the United States, due to accusations from at least 29 States about the negative impact of its social networks on minors. The company, founded by businessman Mark Zuckerberg, is the parent company of large platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger or Threads, among others.
Among the mechanics questioned are unlimited browsing of publications, notifications and content recommendation systems, elements that, according to prosecutors, can encourage prolonged and addictive use of social networks.
The millionaire ‘fines’ that Meta will have to pay
As part of the pact, Meta will have to incorporate security measures activated by default for those under 18 years of age. These include stricter controls on usage time that teens won’t be able to turn off, overnight locks, and automatic silencing of notifications during school hours.
In addition to these measures, Meta will pay around 18 billion dollars, about 15.4 billion euros, which will be paid in annual installments over a period of ten years. 70% of this amount, about $12.7 billion, will go to the states participating in the agreement to finance initiatives related to the safety of minors.
On the other hand, the remaining 30%, around $5.3 billion, will be linked to the participation of YouTube and TikTok in the application of measures aimed at limiting the time that minors spend on their platforms. Both companies must contribute an equivalent amount.
An amount much lower than that initially agreed upon by prosecutors.
The figure finally agreed upon is far from the $1.4 billion that the attorneys general initially estimated they could claim from Meta. The company then called that amount “unreasonable” and unprecedented. The agreement currently reached will still have to receive the judge’s approval before it can become effective.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also announced the pact and has indicated that the out-of-court agreement amounts to $16.7 billion in the case of his state, also including another agreement reached exclusively with Texas.
Bonta has defended that the investigation carried out by the attorneys general has shown that Meta “has been harming our children and adolescents” and has accused the company of promoting addiction to its platforms with the aim of increasing its profits.
