Meta is reportedly seeking to shield itself from legal action stemming from alleged harm to children on its social media platforms. According to reports from Android Headlines and Reuters, the tech giant is lobbying lawmakers in an effort to secure protections that would absolve it of liability in such cases.
The company is facing substantial legal costs associated with lawsuits filed against it for damages suffered by children, which are attributed to their use of Meta’s social media services. Meta’s current strategy involves lobbying legislators to gain immunity from these ongoing and future lawsuits. Combined, Meta and Google are facing approximately $6 million in legal claims from “thousands of families and their children,” as noted by Android Headlines. Earlier this year, a jury in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $375 million, finding that the company had misled consumers about child safety on its platforms. These lobbying efforts in the U.S. Congress are likely aimed at preventing future payouts of this magnitude, as Meta seeks to avoid accountability for any negative consequences minors might experience from using its applications.