Meta meets its own ‘tobacco’ moment in court

Meta faces a major legal challenge as it prepares to defend itself against allegations of harming children in the United States, dubbed as its "big tobacco moment" by experts. The company will contest claims made by four states – California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey – who argue that Meta deliberately designed addictive features for kids in its apps.

The trial, set to begin in Oakland, marks a watershed moment for social media companies and their responsibility towards young users. The states are seeking substantial financial penalties, with a demand for up to $1.4 trillion and potential reputational damage for Meta. The case was likened to the tobacco industry's battles in the 1990s, where companies were held accountable for concealing the health risks associated with their products.

While the financial implications are significant, the real concern for Meta is the reputational harm and the potential requirement to make major changes to its apps, similar to the changes tobacco companies were forced to make in the 1990s.