Meta Settles with 29 States Over Children’s Data Practices

What Data Can Meta Still Use from Young Users?

Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion and implement new child safety measures as part of a settlement with attorneys general from 29 states. The deal resolves allegations that the company violated child privacy laws by collecting and using data from users under 13 without proper consent. The settlement was announced after months of negotiation and includes both financial penalties and commitments to improve protections for young users on its platforms.

As part of the agreement, the states have agreed not to pursue legal action against Meta under existing child safety laws regarding its retention and use of children’s data. This provision allows Meta to continue using certain data from users under 13 for the limited purpose of training artificial intelligence models, provided it adheres to strict safeguards outlined in the settlement. The company must also implement age-verification tools, limit data collection on minors, and enhance parental controls across its services. Meta says it will invest in new technologies to better detect and remove harmful content involving children.

How Will This Affect Future Regulation?

The settlement permits Meta to retain and use specific types of information from children under 13, such as interaction patterns and anonymized usage metrics, to improve its AI systems. However, the company is prohibited from using this data for targeted advertising or profiling minors. Independent auditors will review Meta’s compliance annually to ensure it does not overstep the agreed boundaries. State officials emphasized that the permission is narrow and tightly monitored to prevent misuse.

Regulators say the settlement sets a precedent for how tech companies may handle children’s data under legal scrutiny, balancing enforcement with room for innovation under oversight. While some privacy advocates worry the AI training exception could create loopholes, others view the deal as a step toward accountability without stifling technological development. Meta must report regularly to a joint oversight committee composed of state representatives. Failure to comply could trigger renewed legal action and additional fines.

What specific child safety laws were involved in the settlement? The settlement relates to violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar state-level laws governing the collection of personal information from children under 13 online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Meta use children’s data to build new products? Yes, but only for training AI models under strict limits; the data cannot be used for advertising, profiling, or creating features specifically aimed at minors without additional safeguards.

How will compliance with the settlement be monitored? An independent auditor will assess Meta’s practices each year, and a state-led oversight committee will review reports and have authority to act if violations are found.