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How Meta’s $17.1 Billion Social Media Settlement Came Together

State attorneys general spent months in negotiations. Then, as its legal losses mounted, the social media giant’s new top lawyer brought a huge settlement to the table.

© Jason Henry for The New York Times

Meta’s $17.1 billion agreement with states followed losses in court over claims that the social media is addictive and harmful to children.
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Social Media and the Myth of the Big Tobacco Moment

Smoking used to be everywhere, the way Facebook, TikTok, Snap, YouTube and Instagram are now. Society decided to break the habit, but it took a long time.

© Jason Henry for The New York Times

Meta will pay up to $17.1 billion over a decade and make changes to its social media properties to make them less compulsive for young people.
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