Meta Platforms has agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion (approximately KSh2.16 trillion) to settle claims that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that encouraged addictive use among children.
The settlement follows lawsuits filed by 29 US states, which accused Meta of misleading users about the safety of its platforms and improperly collecting personal information belonging to children.
Under the proposed agreement, Meta will introduce additional measures aimed at protecting minors, including daily usage limits, restrictions on overnight access and stronger safeguards against children accessing age-restricted content.
Meta has denied wrongdoing in the cases.
The lawsuits are part of thousands of legal claims brought against major social media companies over allegations that their platforms have contributed to a growing youth mental health crisis.
The settlement could rank among the largest financial agreements involving a technology company and would place significant pressure on Meta to strengthen its approach to child safety and online wellbeing.
