Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued their first joint public statement since returning to the UK. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke about Meta’s agreement to pay up to $18 billion (£13.3 billion) to settle claims that its social media platforms pose risks to children.
They described the settlement as a “historic” development but criticized Meta for choosing to settle rather than face another trial that could have resulted in greater accountability.
In their statement, Harry and Meghan highlighted what they described as a notable omission from Meta’s public comments, arguing that the company failed to apologize or acknowledge the billions of dollars it will pay under claims brought by a coalition of states.
The couple also criticized Meta’s business model, claiming the company has profited from children and other users through the collection and use of their data.
They argued that the financial penalty would not significantly affect the technology giant, pointing to estimates that Meta could recover the equivalent of the settlement amount through its business within a relatively short period.
“By choosing to settle, the company paid to avoid yet another trial outcome that would force it into accountability,” the couple said.
As part of the agreement, Meta will pay penalties related to alleged violations of federal child privacy laws and state consumer protection legislation. The company has also announced several changes aimed at teenage users.
