Meta pays, somewhat, for its sins

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reached a settlement to pay 47 states, the District of Columbia and three United States territories up to $17.1 billion over 10 years in penalties for misrepresenting potential harm of its services to minors. This sum will be split into various government programs. Meta reported more than $60 billion in revenue last year. This settlement alone won’t bankrupt Meta. “But,” Trumpet managing editor Joel Hilliker wrote in March after a similar case against Meta, “we all need to pay attention to the truth this court victory exposes. These companies hurt people … No one, not even the plaintiff, can rely on a court verdict for protection, rescue or restoration. This is on us.”