A pivotal trial began today in a California federal court involving Meta Platforms and a coalition of 29 states. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey lead the legal action. This lawsuit was originally filed in October 2023.
The states accuse Meta, the parent of Instagram and Facebook, of deliberately designing addictive features that harm the mental health of young users. The coalition also alleges the company illegally collected data from children under the age of 13.
The states are seeking financial damages that could potentially reach over $200 billion. The lawsuit asks the court to compel Meta to change its product designs to enhance child safety.
The trial is expected to last between six and eight weeks. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to provide testimony.
Meta denies the allegations and describes the claims as unsubstantiated. The company states it has made significant efforts to ensure online safety. This case represents the most significant legal challenge regarding social media responsibility for minor users.