The FTC’s Proposed Sanctions Against Meta Represent Regulatory Overreach

The settlement required the company to allow an independent, third-party assessor to evaluate its privacy practices and identify any gaps. The FTC alleges that the independent assessor found deficiencies in Meta’s privacy program and has called for several major changes to its settlement. The proposed ban on Meta providing services to users under 18 oversteps this boundary and is a clear example of regulatory overreach. The FTC frequently uses consent decrees to avoid costly litigation and obtain settlements with companies that provide unique remedies and oversight. The FTC’s proposed unilateral changes are both unwarranted and overreaching, and Meta has rightly challenged its legal authority.