Opening arguments set to begin in Meta’s federal trial over child harms

Opening statements are scheduled to commence on Tuesday in a significant trial at a federal court in California, marking a crucial moment for Meta Platforms. Attorney generals from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are pursuing substantial monetary compensation, alongside modifications to the company's management of Facebook and Instagram.

A total of 29 states initially sued the tech behemoth in 2023, citing concerns over child safety and privacy; the remaining 25 states will face their trials in due time. The lawsuit also targets Meta for allegedly exacerbating the youth mental health crisis by intentionally engineering features that foster children's dependence on its platforms, along with allegations of unauthorized data collection from children under 13, contravening federal regulations.

Attorney Russell Coleman from Kentucky remarked, "We're in court with the largest consumer protection lawsuit in American history. We'll show a jury that Meta concealed what it knew about the harm its products cause young people because looking away was more profitable." Meta, on the other hand, maintains confidence in its position, assuring that it has a robust case.

The company highlights its commitment to safeguarding teenagers on its platforms, emphasizing the extensive protective measures it has implemented, even prior to the lawsuit filings. Meta anticipates a six to eight-week trial, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of Oakland.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers, confirmed to the bench by President Obama in 2011, has presided over numerous high-profile legal disputes involving major technology companies, encompassing Elon Musk's legal action against OpenAI and its founders, as well as Epic Games' lawsuit against Apple concerning its app store.