Meta, 29 states head to court in biggest test yet of youth social media litigation

Meta Platforms faces off against a coalition of 29 state attorneys general in a landmark federal court trial, opening on August 18. The landmark case in Oakland probes allegations that Meta engineered Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for children, potentially exposing the tech giant to billions in damages and forcing sweeping platform changes.

Jury selection commenced on Wednesday, with opening statements set to commence on August 18. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, are expected to testify.

The trial, the largest test yet of the youth social media litigation, addresses claims by 29 states that Meta unlawfully gathered and utilized children's data, contravening federal law. The states also accuse Meta of designing its platforms to ensnare young users and mislead consumers about their safety. The suite of lawsuits, filed in 2023, emerged from a multistate investigation into Instagram and Facebook's impacts on youthful users, following disclosures by Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen.

Her testimony before a U.S. Senate committee in 2021 alleged that Meta knew its products could harm young users but chose to prioritize profits over safety.

The state attorneys general are pressing for an order compelling Meta to implement age restrictions, eliminate infinite scroll, and undertake other platform modifications. Meta, however, vehemently disagrees with the allegations and contends it has taken measures to safeguard young users. The company asserts the potential damages could reach $1.4 trillion, near its market cap of $1.5 trillion.

Meta spokespersons maintain that they have listened to parents, collaborated with experts, and conducted extensive research to address the concerns surrounding young users' well-being.