Ken Paxton announces $1 BILLION Meta settlement as company agrees to bolster teen safety restrictions, impose time limit

Under the settlement, Meta will implement new safeguards designed to better protect minors, including stronger age-assurance measures and a daily two-hour limit for teenagers. The company will also disable notifications by default for teenagers during school hours and implement a default nighttime access mode that restricts notifications and other features at night.

Meta will pay more than $1 billion to the state of Texas. According to Paxton’s office, the funds will be used to support remediation efforts, including "youth mental health services, crisis resources, digital literacy initiatives, after-school programs, and grants for Texas schools.

“This is a historic settlement and a major win for the safety of Texas children. Not only will Meta pay over $1 billion to Texas, but the company will also implement significant new safety features to better protect children’s precious minds and well-being on its platforms,” said Attorney General Paxton. “It is my mission to fundamentally change and strengthen the standards for child safety online, and this settlement is a major step forward in the fight to ensure our kids are protected online.”

The settlement marks the third agreement exceeding $1 billion that Paxton has secured from big tech companies. He previously announced a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta over allegations that the company unlawfully collected and used biometric data, such as facial-recognition data, from Texans without proper consent. Paxton also reached a $1.375 billion settlement with Google over allegations that the company violated Texas privacy laws.

Paxton has continued to push his campaign against technology companies over alleged violations involving children’s safety online. Later this year, he is expected to go to trial against TikTok.