Facebook parent Meta sues the FTC claiming ‘unconstitutional authority’ in child privacy case

2024-12-26 11:50:24 source:lotradecoin fast account setup process category:Invest

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — The parent company of Instagram and Facebook has sued the Federal Trade Commission in an attempt to stop the agency from reopening a 2020 privacy settlement with the company that would prohibit it from profiting from data it collects on users under 18.

In a lawsuit filed late Wednesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., Meta Platforms Inc. said it is challenging “the structurally unconstitutional authority exercised by the FTC” in reopening the privacy agreement.

“Meta respectfully requests that this Court declare that certain fundamental aspects of the Commission’s structure violate the U.S. Constitution, and that these violations render unlawful the FTC Proceeding against Meta,” the company says in its complaint.

The dispute stems from a 2020 consent agreement Meta made with the FTC that also had the social media giant pay a record $5 billion fine over privacy violations.

Other news Indiana judge dismisses state’s lawsuit against TikTok that alleged child safety, privacy concerns California can share gun owners’ personal information with researchers, appeals court rules Snoop Dogg says he’s giving up ‘smoke.’ It caught some of his fans off guard

In May of this year, the FTC said Meta has failed to fully comply with the 2020 settlement and proposed sweeping changes to the agreement that includes barring Meta from making money from data it collects on minors. This would include data collected through its virtual-reality products.

The FTC had no comment on the lawsuit.

Meta’s complaint came after the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Wednesday seemed open to a challenge to how the Securities and Exchange Commission fights fraud in a case that could have far-reaching effects on other regulatory agencies.

A majority of the nine-member court suggested that people accused of fraud by the SEC should have the right to have their cases decided by a jury in federal court, instead of by the SEC’s in-house administrative law judges, echoing elements of Meta’s lawsuit.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, a frequent critic of Meta and other Big Tech companies, called Meta’s lawsuit a “weak attempt to avoid accountability.”

“In the face of a potentially massive fine, Meta’s adoption of extreme, right-wing legal theories to challenge our country’s premier consumer protection agency reeks of desperation,” Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a statement.

More:Invest

Recommend

We can't get excited about 'Kraven the Hunter.' Don't blame superhero fatigue.

Superhero fatigue? In 2024, Deadpool gave all that talk a middle finger salute. (And Wolverine threw

Hold on to Your Bows! The Disney x Kate Spade Minnie Mouse Collection Is on Sale for up to 60% Off

We independently selected these products because we love them, and we think you might like them at t

Why Crystal Hefner Is Changing Her Last Name

Crystal Hefner is turning over a new page in her life story.The former Playboy model has plans to dr