The seven-week California trial could force Meta to change features on Facebook and Instagram and expose the company to potentially massive penalties.
WEB DESK: Meta Platforms is facing a major federal court trial in California after 29 US states accused the technology company of designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that allegedly encourage children and teenagers to remain on the platforms.
The trial, which began with jury selection on Wednesday, is expected to last about seven weeks and represents one of the biggest legal tests yet for social media companies over their impact on young users.
States seek major changes to Facebook and Instagram
The case combines allegations from Colorado, Kentucky, California and New Jersey that Meta deliberately designed its platforms to keep young users engaged and misled consumers about their safety.
Separately, 29 states are challenging Meta’s alleged collection and use of children’s data, arguing that the company violated federal law.
The states are asking the court to impose significant changes on Meta’s platforms, including age restrictions, removal of infinite scroll and notifications, changes to recommendation algorithms and limits on how children’s data is used.
Zuckerberg expected to testify
Meta CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify during the trial, alongside Instagram chief Adam Mosseri.
Opening statements are scheduled for August 18, with US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers overseeing the proceedings.
The judge has taken the unusual step of empaneling an advisory jury. The jury will consider specific questions selected by the judge, although Rogers will ultimately be able to accept or disregard its findings when issuing her decision.
Meta rejects allegations
Meta has strongly denied the allegations and said evidence will demonstrate its efforts to protect young people on its platforms.
The company has argued that it has worked with parents, experts and law enforcement while conducting research into issues affecting young users.
Meta has also disputed claims that it misled consumers about social media addiction, arguing that “social media addiction” is not a recognised psychiatric condition.
Potential penalties could reach $1.4 trillion
The financial stakes are unusually high.
Meta has said the damages could potentially reach $1.4 trillion, although the state attorneys general have not publicly disclosed the amount they intend to seek. The figure is close to Meta’s reported market value of about $1.5 trillion.
The states are also seeking nationwide changes to Meta’s products, meaning the case could have consequences extending far beyond California if the court grants their requested remedies.
Part of a wider social media legal battle
The lawsuit was filed in 2023 following a multistate investigation into Facebook and Instagram’s effects on young users. The investigation gained momentum after former Meta employee Frances Haugen publicly raised concerns about the company’s internal research and youth safety practices.
Meta is facing thousands of additional lawsuits from states, school districts, municipalities and individuals over allegations that social media platforms harm young users.
Reuters reported that more than 3,000 federal lawsuits involving Meta, Snap, YouTube parent Alphabet and TikTok parent ByteDance have been centralised before Judge Rogers, while another group of more than 3,300 cases is pending in Los Angeles state court.
