Meta, the company that controls Facebook and Instagram, reached an agreement with state authorities that obliges it to transfer at least 12,100 million dollars, a figure that could rise to 17,100 million, to the participating governments. The sum will be used to strengthen mental health services and educational programs that mitigate problematic social media use among young people.
What does this mean for users?
The agreement does not provide for individual payments. There is no claim form nor an amount assigned to each Facebook or Instagram account. The money will be delivered directly to the states, so users will not receive checks, deposits, or automatic transfers. People who encounter posts claiming to calculate how much they will receive or requesting bank details should distrust such offers.
Distribution details and timeline
Payments will be made in ten installments. The first disbursement will occur within 30 days after the agreement comes into effect. The amounts each state receives depend on its participation; for example, New York will receive at least 819 million dollars and up to 1,150 million, according to Attorney General Letitia James.
Connection to the prior $725 million agreement
The 2026 deal does not replace the $725 million privacy agreement signed in 2023. That agreement did include payments to certain U.S. users, but the claim deadline ended on August 25 2023, and the funds were distributed starting September 2025. Users who did not file valid claims in that process cannot claim under the new agreement.
Restrictions for minors
In addition to the financial component, Meta agreed to implement stricter controls on accounts of users under 18 years old. New measures include: night lock (restricted access between midnight and 6 a.m.), alerts after 60 and 90 minutes of use, and reminders during continuous sessions. These restrictions apply exclusively to minors and do not impose limits on adults.
Source credits: diarioaldia.com
