Sussexes Arrive UK, Criticize Meta's $17B Child Safety Payout

Upon arriving in the UK for an extended stay, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued a joint statement reacting to Meta's significant child safety settlement. The social media conglomerate agreed to pay up to $18 billion to resolve claims that its platforms pose risks to children. This settlement follows their arrival at Birmingham Airport with their children, Archie and Lilibet.

The Sussexes voiced their disappointment that Meta opted for a settlement, thereby avoiding a trial and potential 'accountability.' They highlighted that Meta could easily afford the $17.1 billion penalty from its data-extraction business model, estimating the company would recoup the settlement amount in profits within a month.

As part of the settlement, Meta has committed to several changes, including restricting child usage between midnight and 6 a.m. and limiting notifications during school hours. They will also remove certain beauty filters and offer an optional chronological feed, moving away from algorithmic recommendations.

Harry and Meghan, long-time advocates for online child safety, viewed these changes as a positive but insufficient step. They stated that parents and advocates would continue to push for greater reforms to protect young people interacting online. The couple has consistently campaigned for stricter social media regulations, previously calling UK government measures to ban certain social media for under-16s a welcome but incomplete action.

Their advocacy for online child safety has been prominent, with Meghan addressing global health leaders in Geneva in May, calling children's online safety a public health issue. They also spoke about their concerns for their own children's online exposure at a World Mental Health Day event in New York last October.

The Sussexes arrived via private jet, without official police protection, and are settling in for an extended period with their children enrolled in British schools for September. This move marks a new chapter as they establish themselves back in Harry's home country.