Meta agrees to major changes to Facebook and Instagram as it settles US trial over teen addiction for up to $17bn

[GingerBeverage]

Meta still denies wrongdoing:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/26/meta-social-media-addiction-trial-settlement

Meta agreed to significant changes to its Instagram and Facebook apps in a settlement that ended a landmark lawsuit on Wednesday. Dozens of US states had accused the tech giant of addicting and harming children with dangerous products.
The agreement curtails a major trial in California and will require the social media* *company to pay up to $17bn. Meta agreed to establish safeguards for teenage users, including daily usage limits and blocks on nighttime use nationwide in the US.
This is the first time in the US that Meta has been forced to change key features of the experience of everyday users.
The jury trial, which took place in federal court in Oakland, California, began with opening statementsjust last week. California and 28 other US states sued the $1.36tn (£1tn) company over allegations that Meta deliberately designed addictive products that hooked young people, leading to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and suicide. The states additionally claimed the social media company regularly collected data on children under the age of 13 without parental permission in violation of federal and state laws. As part of the settlement, the company denies wrongdoing.

"still denies wrongdoing"
Gaslighting bastards 🤬

It's quite something realising how evil the tech barons are.

Facebook triggered a genocide in Myanmar.

Musk wants race wars everywhere.
I closed my Twitter account down when I kept seeing bots pushing racist conspiracies about the Kalergi plan.

Thiel wittering on about the anti christ, it's all so fucking horrible.

It sucks that this change of behaviour is only in the US. Each country has to sue to get protection for children?

Good to hear

UK expects Meta to match US child safety measures after $18bn settlement
Minister calls for Instagram owner to extend sweeping new safeguards for young users to Britain

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/27/uk-meta-child-safety-measures-us-social-media-instagram

This is a massive legal loss for general population.

The amount is not punitive and the fact they are being allowed to pay over 10 yrs is farcical...

The fact share price bounced 5% tells you everything you need to know.

I am happy my kids are 4 and 2 as I see people are waking up to the damage big tech is wrecking on people's lives.

The minister can 'expect' all he wants, but without changes in regulation (and dealing with the inevitable lawsuits from Meta challenging them), it won't happen. And the government is incredibly wary of putting additional regulations on the tech companies because every time they do, the US government slap more tariffs on our exports.

That's how these companies operate, picking off each country one by one to devastating effect

I was glad to read about this case. It's not severe enough at all but it's a start and will make them wake up a bit and realise they can't do what they want. I really hope this is the beginning of a movement towards regulation, maybe the first in many steps. I'm glad to read the wrath towards these tech giants, most people don't seem to care and roll eyes at me when I tell them I don't support them. Meanwhile Tik tok showed their true colours the other day after refusing to show up to a meeting called by the Irish government. This was in relation to permitting videos of people driving the wrong way on motorways. www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0823/1588912-social-media/