Meta readies defence in court case brought by 29 US states
In California, a historic trial has begun against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. A coalition of 29 US states accuses the company of having deliberately designed its platforms to be addictive for young people. Meta is also said to have misled consumers about the safety of its services and to have unlawfully collected children’s personal data.
The case is being heard by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. An advisory jury will listen to the opening statements and witness testimonies, but will not ultimately make the decision itself. Among those expected to testify are Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri.
The states argue that Meta has spent years developing features that encourage young people to stay on Facebook and Instagram for as long as possible. They point, among other things, to features such as endless scrolling. According to the prosecutors, Meta knew that its platforms could pose risks for young users, but the company failed to address those risks adequately.
An important part of the case centres on the protection of children’s personal data. The 29 states claim that Meta violated federal privacy laws by collecting data from children without the required parental consent. Four states – California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey – are also bringing separate claims based on their own consumer protection laws.
Meta denies the allegations. The company says that in recent years it has in fact taken many measures to better protect young people. According to Meta, the states have also failed to provide sufficient evidence that Facebook and Instagram actually cause the alleged harm.
The financial consequences could be significant. Meta has previously calculated that the states involved could potentially seek around $1.4 trillion in fines if they win the case. The company calls that amount unfounded and without precedent in US consumer protection.
The lawsuit could also go beyond a financial penalty. The states want Meta to modify various elements of Facebook and Instagram. This includes discussions about stricter age verification, removing addictive features, and changes to the way algorithms handle children’s data.
The case is seen as an important test of the growing legal pressure on social media companies over the potential impact on young people. Other platforms, including YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat, are also facing similar lawsuits.
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