Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have released their first joint statement after returning to Britain with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex used the statement to criticize Meta over allegations that its platforms have harmed young people. Their office said the tech giant had agreed to a major settlement rather than facing another trial over claims related to child privacy and consumer protection laws.
According to the statement, Meta could pay up to $17.1 billion as part of the settlement, which also includes new measures designed to protect younger users, including a nighttime curfew.
Harry and Meghan said the company had chosen to settle to avoid further scrutiny.
“By choosing to settle, the company paid to avoid yet another trial outcome that would force it into accountability,” they said. “Because of the data-extraction business model Meta has used on our children and all users for years, it has more than the means to pay this settlement.”
They added that reports suggested Meta could earn back the equivalent of the reported $17 billion payout in profits within 30 days.
The couple also noted that Meta said it had worked with attorneys general from 52 states on the new product protections.
The statement follows the Sussexes’ previous support for legal action against Meta, after 29 US states launched a federal case accusing the company of privacy violations and unsafe design features on Facebook and Instagram.
Harry and Meghan said the case represented a significant moment in efforts to hold major social media and artificial intelligence companies accountable for their impact on children and adolescents.
