Meta Expenses Jump 68% in Q3 on $9.9 Billion Youth Safety Settlement

Key Facts

1Meta recorded a 68% jump in Q3 2026 expenses driven by a $9.9 billion legal settlement with 52 attorneys general.

2Meta's CFO warned of upcoming additional youth-related trials that could significantly impact business and financial results.

Meta Platforms recorded a 68% jump in Q3 2026 expenses driven by a $9.9 billion legal settlement with 52 attorneys general. MLex reported that the settlement addresses claims that the company's applications were designed to be addictive, leading to mental health harms for young users.

Meta's CFO Susan Li warned of upcoming additional youth-related trials that could significantly impact the company's business and financial results. META closed at $697.52 on October 21, 2026, while other major tech peers such as MSFT closed at $532.95 and AAPL closed at $343.99 on the same date.