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Two Hours a Day: Inside Meta’s Sweeping New Teen Limits for Instagram and Facebook
Meta has agreed to impose a daily two-hour time limit on teen accounts for Instagram and Facebook in the US as part of a child safety settlement with attorneys general nationwide. The agreement also includes new safeguards and limits on teen access during certain hours, with most protections mandated for at least 10 years. A significant portion of Meta's $17.1 billion settlement payment is contingent on TikTok and YouTube matching these new teen usage restrictions.
Meta reaches $16.7 billion settlement in social media addiction lawsuit
Meta has reached a $16.7 billion settlement with 29 states over a lawsuit concerning child safety and social media addiction on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The company will also implement safety changes, including daily usage limits and nighttime blocks for teenage users.
Here's how to block Meta from using your Instagram pictures for its AI
Meta has automatically enrolled all public Instagram accounts into its Muse Image AI training program. Users can opt out of having their pictures used for AI development.
Meta's new Muse Image model accepts Instagram accounts as a prompt
Meta has introduced its new AI model, Muse, which can utilize Instagram accounts as a prompt for image generation. This technology is also being integrated into effects for Instagram Stories and image creation within WhatsApp.
Morning Safety Dance
Meta has reported that over 20,000 Instagram accounts were compromised and stolen, with the assistance of an AI support bot. Additionally, NSO Group is reportedly being targeted by Meta again due to alleged targeting of WhatsApp users.
Meta's AI support chatbot made it ridiculously easy for hackers to take over Instagram accounts
Meta is addressing account security issues after hackers exploited its AI support chatbot to take over Instagram accounts. The company is working to secure affected accounts and investigate the vulnerability.
Evening Metaverse
Meta has launched subscription services for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, with plans to introduce similar features for other platforms and integrate artificial intelligence. This move signals a new revenue stream strategy for the company's social media applications.
Meta rolls out subscription tiers for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp
Meta is introducing new subscription tiers for its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. These subscription options aim to offer enhanced features or an ad-free experience for users willing to pay a recurring fee.
Meta removes end-to-end encryption from Instagram DMs
Meta has removed end-to-end encryption from Instagram direct messages as of May 8, 2026. This change means the company can now read all user conversations on the platform.
The EU thinks Meta isn't doing enough to protect children
The European Union has launched a preliminary investigation into Meta, finding the company is not doing enough to protect children on its platforms. The investigation specifically targets Instagram and Facebook, suggesting Meta is failing to adequately prevent minors from accessing these services.
Meta is testing a WhatsApp Plus subscription that mostly focuses on cosmetic upgrades
Meta is testing a new subscription service called WhatsApp Plus for its messaging app, offering cosmetic upgrades like premium stickers and themes. While basic functions remain free, subscribers can also pin more chats and customize alerts. This move follows Meta's trial of a similar premium tier for Instagram.
Meta will "substantially reduce" describing Instagram teen accounts as PG-13
Meta has agreed to significantly reduce its use of the PG-13 rating system for Instagram Teen Accounts, starting April 15, following objections from the Motion Picture Association (MPA). The MPA argued that comparing movie ratings to social media content moderation was misleading. While Meta will no longer explicitly link the two, it will continue to draw inspiration from MPA guidance for its content settings.
The Morning After: Meta tests Instagram Plus subscription service
Meta is testing a new subscription service called Instagram Plus in the Philippines and Mexico, offering features like extended Stories and the ability to see who viewed them. This move appears to be modeled after Snapchat+'s success with premium features. The article also briefly touches on other tech news, including a custom PlayStation PCB, Apple's 50th anniversary, and new Meta Ray-Ban AI glasses.
Evening Metaverse
Meta is reportedly testing a new subscription service called Instagram Plus, which would offer exclusive features to paying users. The details of the subscription tiers and specific benefits are still under wraps.
Meta is testing an Instagram Plus subscription service with exclusive features
Meta is testing a new subscription service called 'Instagram Plus' in the Philippines and Mexico, offering exclusive features such as longer Stories, audience segmentation, and viewing analytics. The service, priced around $1-2 USD per month with a free trial, appears to be modeled after Snapchat+'s success in generating non-advertising revenue.
Morning Safety Dance
Meta is reportedly ending end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages, raising concerns about data privacy. Separately, federal agencies have disrupted large IoT botnets responsible for significant DDoS attacks.
Meta is killing end-to-end encryption in Instagram DMs
Meta is discontinuing end-to-end encryption support for Instagram Direct Messages after May 8, 2026, citing low user adoption. While WhatsApp offers default encryption, the feature on Instagram was opt-in and available only in select regions. The company's approach to encryption across its platforms, including Messenger, has evolved over time amidst debates about privacy and child safety.
Meta is testing clickable links in Instagram captions for verified subscribers
Meta is testing a new feature that allows verified subscribers to include clickable links directly within Instagram post captions. This long-requested update for creators is currently in a limited test phase, with users able to add up to 10 links per month. The move could significantly alter creator-follower interactions on the platform and follows Meta's previous experiments with making link-sharing a paid feature.