Charleston, W.Va. (WVDN) — Governor Patrick Morrisey released the following statement regarding the landmark $16.7 billion settlement between Meta and a nationwide coalition of state attorneys general over allegations that the tech giant knowingly deployed addictive, harmful features targeting youth on platforms like Instagram and Facebook:
“When we first launched this bipartisan investigation and joined 32 other states in federal court, our mandate was crystal clear: protecting West Virginia’s youth from reckless corporate practices that profit off child addiction,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “Meta knew the immense physical and psychological toll its platforms were taking on young people, yet chose profit over the mental health and safety of our children.”
Today’s historic $16.7 billion settlement is a monumental victory for families across West Virginia and the nation. It sends an unmistakable message to Big Tech that no company, no matter how powerful, is immune from consumer protection laws or accountable oversight. As Attorney General, I fought to ensure our kids weren’t treated as an ‘untapped’ commercial resource, and as Governor, I will continue to ensure our communities have the resources and protections needed to foster a safe, healthy environment for the next generation.
I also want to commend Attorney General J.B. McCuskey and his team at the Attorney General’s Office for their dedicated leadership in carrying this critical suit across the finish line.”
In October 2023, then-Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined a coalition of 33 state attorneys general in filing a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Meta Platforms. The lawsuit alleged that Meta knowingly engineered addictive features, such as continuous scrolling, push notifications, and visual filters, that harmed the physical and mental health of young users. The lawsuit further asserted violations of state consumer protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
