A federal trial began on Tuesday in Oakland, California, where a coalition of 29 states is suing Meta Platforms for allegedly designing Facebook and Instagram to addict young users and violating child privacy laws. The lawsuit, led by California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, seeks billions in damages and court-ordered changes to the platforms' core features.
Key Developments:
- The trial opened with opening statements from state attorneys general, who accused Meta of targeting preteen and teenage users with features designed to maximize engagement.
- Meta countered that the allegations are unsubstantiated and that the company has taken steps to protect young users, including efforts to comply with federal privacy laws.
The Allegations Against Meta
The states' lawsuit centers on two primary claims:
- Addictive Design: Meta is accused of intentionally creating features—such as infinite scroll, algorithmic recommendations, and 'like' counts—to keep young users engaged for longer periods, despite evidence linking excessive social media use to anxiety, depression, and suicide in adolescents.
- Privacy Violations: The lawsuit alleges Meta improperly collected data from children under 13 without parental consent, violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
During opening statements, California Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill described Meta’s business model as "hook the users, hold them for as long as they can, harvest their data, and then hide the truth from the public." She cited an internal Meta memo titled "The young ones are the best ones" as evidence of the company’s focus on preteen users.
Meta’s Defense: Compliance and Safety Efforts
Meta has denied the allegations, arguing that the states’ claims are misleading and that the company has prioritized child safety. In court filings, Meta’s legal team stated that federal law prohibits the company from retaining data on users under 13, limiting its ability to implement stricter safeguards.
Paul W. Schmidt, a Meta lawyer, argued that the company’s efforts to protect young users have been hampered by legal constraints. He stated, "The law says, if Meta finds people under the age of 13, it can’t keep their data. So it can’t use the very data that would let it make computer models to exclude them."
Potential Consequences and Broader Implications
The trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, could result in billions in penalties and mandated changes to Instagram and Facebook. Legal experts compare the case to past landmark litigation against tobacco companies in the 1990s, which forced industry-wide reforms.
The states are seeking more than $200 billion in damages and are demanding Meta implement parental verification for teenage users, remove auto-play videos, and end features like image filters and infinite scroll for young users. If successful, the ruling could set a precedent for future cases involving social media and youth mental health.
Judge’s Hybrid Approach to the Trial
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has adopted a hybrid trial structure, allowing the four lead states to present their claims together while also addressing federal privacy violations. An advisory jury will issue a non-binding verdict, but the judge will determine Meta’s liability and potential penalties.
Background: A Growing Legal Battle
The lawsuit is part of a broader wave of legal action against Meta, with 29 states now involved. Earlier this year, Meta lost a $1 billion lawsuit in New Mexico over similar allegations of harming children’s mental health. The company also faces additional lawsuits in state courts and ongoing scrutiny from regulators.
Meta has repeatedly stated that it disagrees with the allegations and is confident the evidence will show its commitment to safety. However, the trial marks a critical moment in the debate over social media’s role in youth mental health and whether tech companies should be held legally accountable for their design choices.