Meta faces mammoth fine in landmark social media trial

Meta Platforms Inc. is set to face a landmark antitrust trial in Oakland today, as 30 U.S. states allege that the company's social media applications, Facebook and Instagram, are addictive and have caused harm to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, seeks a potential fine of up to $1.4 trillion, though Meta argues the amount is "outlandish" and "disproportionate."

The trial, expected to last several weeks, will feature testimony from top Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram's Adam Mosseri. The states are seeking changes to the platforms, such as the removal of the 'like' count feature and an end to infinite scroll. Meta argues that its features are industry-wide challenges, but the states maintain that the company misled consumers and violated consumer protection laws.

The company has faced multiple lawsuits this year, including a $942 million fine from New Mexico, which called Meta a "public nuisance."