Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a historic $1.4 billion settlement with Meta (formerly Facebook) to address the unauthorized collection and use of biometric data from millions of Texans. This settlement, the largest ever secured by a single state, will be paid over five years and reflects Texas’s commitment to protecting citizens’ privacy rights. The lawsuit, initiated in February 2022, accused Meta of violating the state’s “Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier” Act by using facial recognition technology without obtaining informed consent. Paxton emphasized that this landmark agreement serves as a warning to major tech companies about the consequences of violating privacy laws in Texas.

Editor’s Note: The $1.4 billion settlement secured by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Meta is a significant victory for privacy rights and sets a powerful precedent in the ongoing struggle for accountability among major technology companies. This landmark agreement not only underscores the importance of informed consent in the digital age but also highlights the role of state attorneys general in safeguarding the interests of their constituents against corporate overreach.

As technology evolves, protecting personal data must remain a top priority. This settlement serves as a reminder that violations of privacy laws will not go unchecked, encouraging other states to take similar stands against companies that exploit user data. It is a hopeful signal that, with vigilance and legal action, citizens can reclaim their rights in an increasingly data-driven world.

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