---
title: "US Federal judge officially against the Meta in privacy fight with FTC"  
description: "US Federal judge officially against the Meta in privacy fight with FTC"  
author: "Saumya Mishra"  
published: 2023-11-28  
updated: 2023-11-28  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/news/3587/us-federal-judge-officially-against-the-meta-in-privacy-fight-with-ftc  
category: "technology"  
tags: ["whatsapp"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# US Federal judge officially against the Meta in privacy fight with FTC

- **Meta Platforms, the company behind** [**Facebook**](https://www.mindstick.com/category/article/facebook)**, Instagram, and WhatsApp, lost a court battle over privacy on Monday.**
- **A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can seek to reduce the amount of money Meta makes from users under 18.**
- **Meta is arguing that the FTC's allegations about children and privacy are “without merit.”**

**Background and FTC's Proposal:** In 2019, Facebook, now under [Meta](https://www.mindstick.com/news/3511/meta-will-mandate-political-advertisers-to-disclose-their-use-of-ai), settled with the FTC, agreeing to a $5 billion fine. The recent dispute arises from the FTC's claim that Meta breached the agreement, particularly in misleading parents about [Messenge](https://www.mindstick.com/news/1302/facebook-messenger-updates-secret-conversations-features-adding-gifs-stickers-reactions)r **Kids' safety**.

**FTC's Jurisdiction and Meta's Response:** The FTC argues that it has the authority to modify settlements, while Meta contends that the district court lacks jurisdiction. Meta maintains that the FTC's allegations regarding children's privacy are baseless.

**Impact on Meta's Revenue Model:** Meta heavily relies on digital ads using [personal data](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/158146/what-are-some-of-the-ethical-concerns-surrounding-the-collection-and-use-of-personal-data-in-it), constituting over **98%** of its income. The proposed [restrictions](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2343/a-handbook-for-social-media-parental-restrictions) on monetizing data from users under 18, if implemented, could significantly impact Meta's [revenue stream](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/86355/how-education-is-the-best-revenue-stream).

**Teens' Platform Usage:** A Pew Research Center study in early 2023 revealed that **62%** of teens aged **13-17** use Instagram, while **17%** use WhatsApp. This underscores the relevance of the dispute, considering Meta's competition with TikTok for young users.

**Legal Options and FTC's Response:** Meta expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, asserting the FTC's attempt to revise the agreement is "unlawful." The FTC, however, declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.

![US Federal judge officially against the Meta in privacy fight with FTC](https://www.mindstick.com/usernews/655071/1a1cc373-a6cd-44a3-98aa-f3a5f741b886/images/0a7f8e6a-de6c-48ae-93be-924b54dad65d.jpg)

**[Historical Context](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/100767/who-wrote-war-and-peace-and-what-themes-and-historical-context-does-it-explore):** This isn't the first time the FTC has taken [action against](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/115908/is-trump-planning-military-action-against-india) Facebook and its subsidiaries. Past settlements and ongoing legal battles reflect the complex [relationship](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/80819/live-in-relationship-protecting-the-right-to-live-together) between [tech](https://www.mindstick.com/services/technologies) giants and regulatory bodies.

As the privacy battle unfolds, Meta Platforms finds itself at a critical juncture, navigating legal challenges that could reshape its interactions with young users and redefine its revenue strategies.

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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/news/3587/us-federal-judge-officially-against-the-meta-in-privacy-fight-with-ftc

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