Texas Secures $1.4 Billion Deal with Meta Over Biometric Data Misuse

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Meta $1.4B Deal

The state of Texas has achieved a landmark $1.4 billion settlement with Meta Platforms Inc., resolving a lawsuit that accused the social media giant of illegally collecting Facebook users’ biometric data through its discontinued facial recognition feature. This historic deal was announced by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and McKool Smith on Tuesday.

Meta $1.4B Deal : Largest Single-State Settlement

Attorney General Ken Paxton and McKool Smith emphasized the unprecedented nature of this settlement, labeling it “the largest settlement ever obtained from an action brought by a single state.” The specifics were revealed after a 30-day stay requested in late May to finalize the agreement. McKool Smith attorneys Sam Baxter and Jennifer Truelove expressed their gratitude for the court’s handling of the case, underscoring the importance of holding companies accountable for privacy violations in Texas.

“Companies operating in Texas must be held accountable, especially when the privacy of Texans is at risk,” they said in a statement.

Meta $1.4B Deal : Upholding Biometric Privacy Laws

Paxton highlighted the significance of the settlement, stating it demonstrates Texas’ commitment to holding major technology companies accountable. He noted that this deal marks the first lawsuit and settlement under the state’s Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act (CUBI). “Any entity abusing Texans’ sensitive data will be met with the full force of the law,” Paxton said.