Meta knowingly has millions of underage users on Instagram and “zealously” protects that information from being disclosed to the public, according to newly unsealed court documents cited The New York Times.
Thirty-three states have filed a complaint accusing Meta of “intentionally” designing its social media platforms, especially Instagram, to be addictive to youth. The unredacted version of the complaint also alleges that Meta continued to collect children’s personal information, including their email addresses and locations.
Under US law, it is illegal for companies to collect data on children under 13, with fines of up to $50,120 per violation. Meta could be facing unprecedented fines if it is proven to have knowingly allowed millions of underage accounts to remain open.
In response to the allegations, Meta stated that the states’ complaint “mischaracterizes our work using selective quotes and cherry-picked documents.” The company also noted that users under the age of 13 are not allowed to have Instagram accounts, and it has measures in place to remove these accounts when identified.
The allegations against Meta highlight the ongoing concerns about the company’s treatment of underage users and its accountability for protecting their privacy. Meta has not responded to Business Insider’s request for comment on the matter.