In a historic development, Meta Platforms Inc. reached a $17 billion settlement with a coalition of U.S. states and consumer groups over alleged violations of privacy and data‑handling practices. The agreement, announced on Friday, will fund a new privacy oversight board, provide restitution to affected users, and require Meta to implement stricter data‑minimization protocols across its Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp services.
In unrelated regulatory news, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) voted to repeal a 30‑year‑old rule that mandated annual radiation dose assessments for workers at nuclear power plants. Commissioners argued that advances in real‑time monitoring technology render the old requirement redundant and that the change will reduce administrative burdens without compromising safety. Critics, including several labor unions and environmental NGOs, warned that the rollback could weaken protections for plant personnel and the public, calling for a comprehensive impact study before the rule is fully rescinded.