Senators Question Meta's Delayed Introduction of Teen Account Privacy Measures

A group of senators has written a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, asking about the company’s delay in implementing key protections for users under 18. This follows court documents that revealed Meta may have downplayed its platforms’ harm to prioritize user engagement. Meta introduced automatic private and more restrictive accounts for teenagers on Instagram in September 2024, before expanding this measure to Facebook and Messenger last year. The senators are seeking clarification on the reasons behind this delay amid concerns about the company’s handling of platform harm. The senators signed a letter addressed to Zuckerberg, citing the unsealed court documents that suggest Meta may have prioritized user engagement over the well-being of its younger users. This raises questions about the company’s commitment to protecting its users, particularly those under 18. Meta has been working to improve its platform protections in recent years, including introducing more restrictive accounts for teenagers on Instagram. However, the delay in implementing these measures has raised concerns among lawmakers and advocacy groups. The senators’ letter to Zuckerberg is an effort to hold Meta accountable for its actions and ensure that the company is taking adequate steps to protect its users, especially those under 18.