Meta Imposes Strict Teen Protections in Massive $18B Settlement
Meta has agreed to an $18 billion legal settlement addressing allegations that Instagram and Facebook deliberately encouraged addictive behaviors in younger audiences while downplaying potential harms. As part of the pact, teen accounts will see tighter safety controls, including daily two-hour usage caps, nighttime blackouts, silenced alerts during school hours, enhanced age verification, and periodic break reminders.
The financial arrangement includes a notable contingency: while Meta has committed roughly $12.7 billion directly, an additional $5.3 billion is contingent upon competitors like TikTok and YouTube adopting similar teen protections and contributing matching settlement figures. Meta has even launched open-letter advertising campaigns to encourage industry-wide adherence to these safety standards, while keeping its core targeted advertising model largely intact.
Apple Schedules Event for Rumored Foldable iPhone
Apple has slated a major hardware event for September 9, marking the debut presentation under incoming chief executive John Ternus. Industry observers expect the unveiling of Apple's first foldable smartphone—a book-style folding device estimated around $2,500 that unfolds into a tablet-sized display.
Analyst forecasts from IDC project that Apple could ship over 10 million units in its debut year, potentially capturing a 40% share of the global foldable market by 2027. The showcase is also anticipated to feature the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, while standard base models are reportedly deferred to 2027.
Breakthrough Tech: Space Food and Rejuvenation Research
- Plastic-Derived Space Food: NASA-backed researchers have demonstrated an experimental method converting PET plastics and plant residue into edible biomass using specialized yeast cultures. The processed material, supplemented with nutrients and flavoring, was 3D-printed into microwavable test cookies designed for long-haul space missions and disaster relief.
- Blood-Rejuvenation Therapies: Longevity startup Generation Lab is investigating an experimental weekly injection combining two undisclosed drugs aimed at restoring regenerative capacity in aged blood, building on research conducted at UC Berkeley.
Other Notable Tech Developments
- Uber: Rolled out live parental video feeds for teen passengers across nine U.S. markets, utilizing driver-facing cameras with mutual notifications.
- Alphabet: Agreed to pay £260 million ($353 million) to resolve a UK developer lawsuit regarding Play Store platform fees.
- Wearable Tech: The original creators of Fitbit introduced Luffu Link, a screen-free $250 safety wearable offering standalone LTE tracking and emergency alerts.
- Apple Maps: Began integrating sponsored listings and promotional placements within search results and recommendations.