Meta agrees to pay up to $18 billion to settle youth safety lawsuits with US states

Menlo Park-based Meta has agreed to pay approximately $18 billion over 10 years to settle a lawsuit filed by several US states over youth online safety, according to the BBC. The company said the amount would be paid in annual installments over the decade, though some state attorneys general noted the total settlement could reach $17.1 billion. Meta said the funds could be used to finance initiatives aimed at strengthening online safety for young people. States participating in the case will receive roughly 70 percent of the total, or $12.7 billion, over the 10-year period. Release of the remaining 30 percent is tied to two conditions set for YouTube and TikTok. The first condition requires those platforms to implement measures including a one-hour daily usage limit for minors, a nighttime mode and age verification. The second requires both platforms to pay an amount equivalent to the remaining 30 percent. Meta said it expects to record a legal expense of approximately $10 billion in the third quarter.