Meta Platforms has denied allegations made by a coalition of U.S. states that it deliberately aimed to addict young users to its Facebook and Instagram platforms for financial gain as a significant trial began on Tuesday. The bipartisan group of 29 states is suing Meta, seeking substantial financial penalties and changes to the company’s operational practices.
The lead states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, have accused Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram in a way that hooks young users, leading to mental health issues and misleading consumers about the platforms’ safety. All 29 states have accused Meta of violating federal law by improperly collecting and using children’s personal data.
The trial taking place in a federal court in Oakland, Calif., is considered a major legal examination of social media’s impact on young users. Besides Meta, other social media giants like Snap, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, and YouTube’s parent company Alphabet are facing numerous lawsuits over the potential harm caused to young users by their platforms.
During the trial’s opening statements, California’s Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill emphasized Meta’s strategy of engaging users, collecting their data, and concealing the truth from the public, especially targeting children. O’Neill highlighted the company’s need for young users and its obligation to ensure their safety.
Meta’s legal representative, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged the challenges some social media users face but argued that research does not definitively link adolescents’ social media use to a lack of well-being. He stated that Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is committed to enhancing its services rather than jeopardizing user safety.
The trial’s outcome will be influenced by an advisory verdict from the jurors, although U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately determine Meta’s liability. If found liable, Meta could face civil penalties and be mandated to implement changes to its Facebook and Instagram platforms, potentially incurring penalties as high as $1.4 trillion, close to the company’s market value.
Several states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, are pushing for comprehensive reforms to Facebook and Instagram, such as removing features like likes and infinite scrolling, imposing time limits for younger users, and enforcing stricter regulations to protect children under 13.
The trial saw the testimony of former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar, who highlighted the company’s lax approach to child safety tools and its focus on rapid product deployment without adequate safety considerations. Bejar’s testimony shed light on the internal dynamics at Meta, including the company’s prioritization of user engagement over safety measures.
Critics of Meta gathered outside the courthouse to voice their concerns, with some sharing personal tragedies related to social media use. The trial, expected to last six weeks, is a pivotal moment in addressing the accountability of tech companies in safeguarding users, particularly young individuals, from potential harm associated with social media platforms.