Facebook and Instagram addiction: Meta avoids a landmark lawsuit and a huge fine in the United States
On 26 August 2026, Meta signed a settlement with nearly all US states, ending the trial that had opened a week earlier over the protection of minors, in which the company faced a fine that could have reached $200 billion. The company has committed to paying up to $18 billion, in installments over ten years, as well as implementing measures to limit and regulate minors’ use of its platforms. These measures, which can still be changed with parental consent, include suspending notifications during school hours, setting usage time limits, and removing like counts and filters. The settlement, which does not involve any admission of wrongdoing, still needs to be approved by the judge overseeing the case. > Read the article.
Bally Bagayoko, mayor of Saint-Denis, is under investigation for embezzlement of public funds related to his employment at the RATP
On 19 August 2026, the French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) opened a preliminary investigation into Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis, over suspicions of misuse of public funds and handling of misappropriated funds. The investigation follows several press reports and two complaints filed by the anti-corruption organization AC !! Anti-corruption. It aims to examine the conditions under which Mr. Bagayoko was employed by the RATP. According to revelations published by Le Canard enchaîné, Mr. Bagayoko allegedly benefited from recruitment without a competitive examination or interview, as well as favorable working conditions, while simultaneously holding several local elected positions, including deputy mayor and, for a time period, vice-president of the departmental council. Mr. Bagayoko denies the allegations, describing them as an attempt to politically discredit him. > Read the article.
Disneyland Paris found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, ten years after the death of a technician in the haunted house
On 26 August 2026, the Meaux criminal court sentenced Euro Disney to 225,000 euros fine for involuntary manslaughter, ten years after the death of a technician who was electrocuted on 2 April 2016, while working on an attraction. During the hearing held in July, the prosecutor had argued that the safety failures were entirely attributable to Euro Disney. Another company responsible for electrical inspections was acquitted. The employee’s two daughters were awarded a little over 113,000 euros in damages as civil parties. The UNSA Disneyland Paris union denounced chronic understaffing of maintenance teams as a persistent source of risk for employees. > Read the article.
The lawfulness of pretrial detention of minors accused of crimes – unconstitutionality of the law and absence of a new law
In a ruling dated 26 August 2026, the French Cour de cassation clarified the effects of the repeal of Article L. 434-9 of the Code of Juvenile Criminal Justice, which was declared unconstitutional by the French Conseil constitutionnel with deferred effect until 1st July 2026. A minor held in pretrial detention under a decision issued before that date argued that the repeal deprived that decision of legal basis, since the new law was not adopted until 23 July 2026, making the continued detention unlawful. The Cour de cassation rejected the appeal, holding that decisions issued before the repeal of the article cannot be challenged on the grounds of the text’s unconstitutionality, as specified by the Conseil constitutionnel. Furthermore, the decision complied with the reasoning requirements set out by the Conseil constitutionnel. The minor therefore remains in pretrial detention. > Lire le communiqué.
Singapore bids to host multilateral investment tribunal
On 25 August 2026, Singapore’s law minister, Edwin Tong, announced the city-state’s bid to host the future multilateral investment tribunal currently being negotiated within the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL”). Singapore is offering a dedicated, fully equipped building as well as a fund to help developing countries participate in proceedings. Warning of the strong pressures weighing on the legitimacy of the current dispute settlement system, Edwin Tong stressed the need to establish a tribunal that reflects greater coherence and legal certainty in order to ensure the institution’s credibility. > Read the article.
