# Meta says it would’ve made over $22 billion if it didn’t have to pay a child safety settlement

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/meta-says-it-wouldve-made-over-22-billion-if-it-didnt-have-to-pay-a-child-safety-settlement/
- Published: 2026-10-21T20:46:56+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-21T21:56:25+00:00
- Original publisher: The Verge
- Original article: https://www.theverge.com/tech/1015877/meta-q3-2026-earnings-child-safety-settlement
- Topics: Americas, Art, Business, Companies, Culture, World

## Key points

- Meta booked $9.89 billion towards a child safety settlement.
- Without that payment, operating income would have been $22.89 billion.
- Revenue rose 26 per cent to $64.60 billion.

## Summary

Meta said its operating income for the third quarter would have been $22.89 billion without a $9.89 billion payment towards a child safety settlement. The settlement resolves a nationwide US lawsuit alleging that the company designed its social media platforms to be addictive and harmful to children.

Meta agreed in August to pay $17.1 billion, though its payment could fall to $5.3 billion if YouTube and TikTok introduce stricter child safety settings. The company reported $51.61 billion in total costs and expenses and $64.60 billion in revenue, up 26 per cent year on year. A New Mexico court also ordered Meta to pay $25 billion over the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.