CClaimWatch
Major public-enforcement settlement — no direct consumer claimprivacyconsumer products

Meta Social Media Harm Multistate Settlement

Up to $17.1 billion paid to participating states over ten years; no direct consumer payments

Last verified August 29, 2026Source: official:california-attorney-generalHow ClaimWatch verifies cases

Closed to new claims. Browse open settlements →

Where this case stands

Payments distributed

The court approved the settlement and the administrator has reported sending payments to class members who filed valid claims.

Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

  1. October 24, 2023
    Case filed
  2. August 26, 2026
    Case closed by the court

What happened

A bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general alleged that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram features that drove compulsive use by children and teens, misled families about the risks, and improperly collected children’s data. Meta agreed to pay at least $12.1 billion and up to $17.1 billion, plus implement major child-safety reforms; the proposed settlement remains subject to court approval.

Do you qualify?

This is a public-enforcement settlement between Meta and participating states and territories. It does not create a class of individual consumers eligible to submit payment claims.

What the settlement pays

Up to $17.1 billion paid to participating states over ten years; no direct consumer payments

Paid from a $17.1B settlement fund. Individual amounts depend on how many valid claims are filed.

How to file

There is no direct consumer claim process. Settlement funds are intended for states and public programs addressing youth mental health, education, and harms associated with unhealthy social media use.

Common questions

How much does the Meta Social Media Harm Multistate Settlement pay?
Estimated payout: Up to $17.1 billion paid to participating states over ten years; no direct consumer payments. The settlement fund is $17.1B.Why settlement checks are smaller than the headline number →
What is the status of the Meta Social Media Harm Multistate Settlement?
Payments distributed. The court approved the settlement and the administrator has reported sending payments to class members who filed valid claims.
Is the Meta Social Media Harm Multistate Settlement notice real, or a scam?
Claims are filed only at oag.ca.gov. Filing is always free, and no administrator asks for payment or a full Social Security number by email or text.How to tell a real settlement notice from a scam →
Who are the attorneys in the Meta Social Media Harm Multistate Settlement?
For the plaintiffs: Olivia W. Martin (Office of the Attorney General); Margaret Paton-Walsh (Department of Law); Louise Lafitaga (Office of the Attorney General); Reagan Healey (Arizona Attorney General's Office). From the public court docket.

Who's involved

Counsel for plaintiffs

Other cases these firms appear in

From the public court docket, contact details as filed; not an endorsement.

In the news

Headlines via NewsAPI.

Guides:Why is my settlement check so small?How long a settlement takes to pay outIs this settlement notice real, or a scam?

Summarised from public settlement documents; confirm terms on the official settlement website. ClaimWatch is not a law firm, and filing a claim is free.

More privacy settlements

View all →
October 15, 2026No proof neededprivacy

Period Tracker Data Privacy Settlement (Flo, Google, Flurry)

Not stated

October 22, 2026privacy

Lands' End Data Breach Settlement

November 9, 2026privacy

Forbes Media Website Tracker Class Action Settlement

Pro rata payments from the Settlement Fund after deductions for administration costs, court-awarded attorneys' fees and costs, and incentive awards

November 12, 2026data breach

American Vision Partners Data Breach Settlement

Pro-rata cash payments or out-of-pocket expense claims for Damages Settlement Class Members