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MPA Sends Cease-and-Desist Over Meta’s Use of ‘PG-13’ for Instagram Teen Settings

The film industry group argues its human-reviewed PG-13 certification cannot be invoked to market automated Instagram safeguards.

Overview

  • In an Oct. 28 letter, the Motion Picture Association demanded Meta stop using the PG-13 mark for Teen Accounts, calling the claims “literally false and highly misleading.”
  • The MPA alleges Meta’s messaging constitutes false advertising, risks dilution of the famous PG-13 mark, and could mislead consumers into believing an endorsement or collaboration exists.
  • Meta counters that it never suggested official certification, says references to PG-13 are descriptive and accurate, cites nominative fair use, and expresses willingness to engage with the MPA.
  • Instagram’s teen update limits follows of age-inappropriate accounts, blocks searches for terms like suicide and self-harm, restricts questionable links in DMs, and curbs improper AI responses.
  • The MPA notes PG-13 is a registered certification mark built on human review, while Meta’s protections rely heavily on automated systems, and no litigation has been filed beyond the letter as the rollout continues.