 "Brazil sues Meta, TikTok for $500 million for not proactively protecting minors")
Brazil has taken legal action against Meta, TikTok, and Kwai, accusing the platforms of not doing enough to safeguard minors. The Collective Defense Institute, a consumer rights group, has filed two lawsuits, demanding a hefty three billion reais (around $525 million).
The group argues that the companies failed to proactively protect young users or set effective limits on their platform usage.
Social media giants under fire again
The lawsuits highlight concerns about the negative impact social media can have on young people’s mental health. The legal action calls on Meta, TikTok, and Kwai to issue clear warnings about the risks of platform addiction. Additionally, the companies are expected to outline more robust data protection practices to ensure better safety for minors.
The group behind the lawsuit stressed that urgent changes are needed to improve how user data from under-18s is handled and how teens aged 13 and above are monitored on these platforms. They believe such measures are already being followed in other developed countries.
This is not the first time Meta and TikTok have faced legal challenges for failing to protect minors. Towards the end of 2023, the state of New Mexico filed a case against Meta, accusing Facebook and Instagram of exposing minors to inappropriate content.
Shortly after, reports revealed that an internal memo from Meta in 2021 found over 100,000 young users faced harassment daily. Despite this, Meta’s executives reportedly resisted calls for algorithm changes. Earlier this month, several US attorneys general also filed lawsuits against TikTok, claiming the platform misled the public about its safety for young users.
Push for stricter safeguards
In response to increasing pressure, Meta introduced special teen accounts on Instagram, aimed at providing stricter privacy settings for users under 16. These accounts also require parental approval for any changes. However, these features have yet to roll out in Brazil, though Meta has promised they will arrive soon.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMeta maintains that it has been working on improving safety for young people for over a decade. The company emphasised that it has developed more than 50 tools, features, and resources to help teens and their parents navigate the platform safely.
A broader battle in Brazil
This lawsuit isn’t the only time Brazil has gone head-to-head with major tech platforms. Recently, the country clashed with Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter) over profiles that were accused of spreading election misinformation. After resisting government demands, X eventually paid a fine of 28 million reais (roughly $4.9 million).
Brazil’s latest legal move highlights the growing scrutiny social media platforms face globally over their handling of young users. As regulators tighten the reins, companies like Meta and TikTok will likely face mounting pressure to introduce safer policies for minors.
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