Meta Signs 18 Billion Dollar Agreement
While Meta agreed to pay billions of dollars in lawsuits claiming it drove children to social media addiction, the process of leaking confidential documents came to light.
Facebook and Instagram's parent company Meta has agreed to pay 18 billion dollars in lawsuits filed in the US alleging that it drove children to social media addiction. The details of the confidential testimony and leaked documents behind the process have been clarified.
Background of the Agreement
Meta has agreed to pay 18 billion dollars in lawsuits filed in the US claiming it drove children and adolescents to social media addiction. Journalist Jeff Horwitz, who is behind the investigation, shared the details of the agreement.
Message via LinkedIn
The beginning of the story dates back to just after the 2020 US elections. Frances Haugen, a product manager working on Facebook's Civic Integrity Team, sent a message to journalist Jeff Horwitz via LinkedIn.
Secret Meetings in the Woods
Horwitz and Haugen met in the hills near Oakland a few days after their first messages. To make it harder to track the meetings, a cheap phone bought with cash was used and pseudonyms were preferred.
Internal Research Within the Company
According to internal company research, 32 percent of teenage girls who felt bad about their bodies stated that Instagram made this feeling even worse. The documents also showed that young people were vulnerable to dangers.
Billion-Dollar Settlement and Restrictions
Frances Haugen stopped hiding her identity and appeared before the public, testifying in the Senate. At the end of the process, Meta agreed to a massive payout to settle lawsuits filed by 29 US states.