Meta to pay up to $16.68 billion over Facebook, Instagram child safety claims

New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) Meta Platforms has agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion to settle claims brought by US states alleging that Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive for children, misled users about platform safety and improperly collected personal data from minors, according to court filings.

The settlement was reached during a federal trial in California involving claims brought by 29 states, bringing an end to one of the most closely watched legal challenges over the impact of social media on children and teenagers.