Meta meets its own 'tobacco' moment as jury selection kicks off trial

U.S. jury selection began in a California courtroom on Wednesday, where Meta will defend itself against allegations of harming children in a new trial described as social media's "big tobacco moment." Federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers and lawyers for both sides questioned potential jurors about their views on social media and Meta, inquiring about their personal social media usage, children's usage, and opinions on social media's impact on mental health.

Eight people were selected to serve on the jury, with the judge making the final decisions. A coalition of states sued Meta in 2023, alleging that they designed addictive features for kids and violated state laws. The four states selected to represent the claims are California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Meta strongly refutes the allegations, asserting its commitment to protecting young people.

The case bears similarities to the tobacco industry trials of the 1990s, where states argued that companies purposefully concealed the harmful effects of their products. If Meta loses, it faces potential reputational harm and significant changes to its apps, with financial penalties reaching nearly $1.4 trillion. Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify in the trial, which could mark a significant turning point for the company.