Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and several current and former executives have agreed to settle a lawsuit seeking $8 billion in damages over privacy violations tied to Facebook. The case, which accused them of failing to protect user data, was adjourned just as it entered its second day, avoiding testimony from key figures like Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and Marc Andreessen.
The lawsuit stemmed from shareholder claims that Meta’s leadership allowed repeated privacy breaches, leading to massive fines, including a $5 billion FTC penalty in 2019. Shareholders argued that executives should personally reimburse the company for legal costs and regulatory penalties. The defendants denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations exaggerated before reaching a settlement.
The case traces back to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where user data was harvested to influence the 2016 U.S. election. That incident triggered investigations and fines, contributing to Meta’s ongoing legal troubles. While this case is resolved, Meta still faces an antitrust lawsuit over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, with no ruling yet.
Separately, Zuckerberg is named in a lawsuit alleging Meta used pirated content to train its Llama AI. The company also recently settled with Donald Trump for $25 million over his 2021 Facebook suspension, which followed his role in the Capitol riot. Meta continues to navigate legal challenges as regulators scrutinize its business practices.
