BREAKING NEWS: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle break silence for the first time since UK return
The couple arrived in the UK yesterday.
Prince Harry and Meghan have issued a statement (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a new statement following news that the social media company Meta will pay billions in a child-endangerment settlement. The company agreed to pay up to $18billion (£13.3billion) to settle claims that its platforms pose a danger to children. The couple have long been outspoken about the dangers social media companies have on children.
The statement, which is the first one since their move to the UK, says: “The historic trial against Meta over claims that its products endanger children has resulted in a settlement in which they will pay up to $17.1 billion. The settlement requires Meta to pay financial penalties for violating federal child privacy and states’ consumer protection laws.
“By choosing to settle, the company paid to avoid yet another trial outcome that would force it into accountability. Because of the data-extraction business model Meta has used on our children and all users for years, it has more than the means to pay this settlement. Reports estimate Meta will make the equivalent of the $17 billion payout back in profit in the next 30 days.”
The Sussexes are big proponents of stronger online protections for children (Image: Getty)
The couple hopes that Meta’s announcement of significant product changes for teens, such as restricting platform use between 12am and 6am, “quickly sparks change from other tech leaders across the industry”. Other changes include the suppression of notifications during school hours, the removal of beauty filters deemed harmful to mental health, and the introduction of an optional chronological feed to replace algorithm-driven content recommendations. They also highlight Meta’s call for YouTube and TikTok to join them in making similar design changes.
“This result clearly signals that Meta and social media companies understand they are up against an immovable force of parents, survivors, and advocates who will not back down until we see change in how our young people interact with online spaces. It is a positive step for everyone advocating for safer online spaces and at the same time – far from the end of the journey to a better online world,” they say.
However, the Sussexes also sharply criticise the statement about these changes. They argue that it “fails to apologize or mention the billions it will pay out because of claims brought by the 29-state coalition and the 47 states plus the District of Columbia and territories included in the settlement.”
In the past, the couple made multiple strong statements against Meta’s decisions. For example, last year, they slammed Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, for scrapping its longstanding fact-checking programme.
The Sussexes said in a statement: “It doesn’t matter whether your views are left, right or somewhere in between—the latest news from Meta about changes to their policies directly undermines free speech.
“This should deeply concern us all.
“Contrary to the company’s talking points, allowing more abuse and normalizing hate speech serves to silence speech and expression, not foster it.”
The couple reportedly landed in the UK on Wednesday. There was no immediate confirmation of their arrival from representatives of the Sussexes. The BBC reported they had arrived in the UK, while the Daily Telegraph reported they had landed at Birmingham airport at lunchtime.
The choice of airport would fuel intense speculation that the family intend to live in the Cotswolds area.
