Meta is gearing up for a significant trial as it faces legal action over allegations of child safety issues on its platforms. The trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, Calif., began with jury selection last week. While an eight-person jury will provide input, the final decision rests with Judge Rogers.
The trial, expected to span six weeks, may see Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri called to testify. The case originated from a lawsuit filed by multiple states, accusing Meta of unlawfully collecting data on users under 13 without parental consent. The lawsuit also alleges that Meta misled users about the addictiveness and harm caused by its platforms.
The trial involves four states initially, with the possibility of more states pursuing similar actions later. Meta faces potential financial damages of up to $1.4 trillion as estimated by the company, although legal experts question the feasibility of such a significant penalty. Besides monetary compensation, the states are seeking court-ordered changes to Meta’s platforms, including implementing age restrictions and removing certain features like infinite scroll.
Meta has refuted the allegations, emphasizing its efforts to enhance safety for young users. The company has introduced new safety measures, such as teen accounts on Instagram with enhanced privacy settings and parental controls. Despite ongoing legal challenges, Meta remains committed to supporting young people and addressing concerns raised in the trial.
In a related case in New Mexico, Meta was ordered to pay substantial fines for platform-related harms to young people. The company’s legal battles extend to other jurisdictions, including Canada and Tennessee, where similar allegations have been made regarding the impact of social media on young users.