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US investigation against Instagram for kids

‘Μeta’ investigation in 8 US States on Instagram’s impact on kids

A U.S. investigation, by at least 8 member states, has been opened in order to examine whether Meta, previously known as Facebook, is promoting Instagram to kids and tracking their activities.

Following the documents leaked by the company’s former employee Frances Haugen that revealed internal research about how Instagram is harmful to the mental health of teenagers and children, the investigation is going to examine whether the company has violated consumer protection laws and exposed young people to dangers.

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The coalition is comprised by both Democrats and Republicans and includes -for the time being at least- the attorneys general from the U.S. States of California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee and Vermont.

“Enough is enough”, said California’s attorney general Rob Bonta in an emailed statement. ”We’ve undertaken this nationwide investigation to get answers about Meta’s efforts to promote the use of this social media platform to young Californians – and to determine if, in doing so, Meta violated the law.”

Meta, at the time Facebook, had announced earlier in the fall that they are putting on hold their project for ‘Instagram for kids’, amid protests and reactions against it.

Read Also:  Facebook gives up 'Instagram for kids'

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