Former Meta engineer says Instagram took a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach on kids under 13
During his second day of testimony, Arturo Bejar said Meta consistently prioritized profits over safety in designing its products, focusing on how often and for how long people used them, even if it was detrimental to their mental well-being.
A former Meta engineering director testified that the company adopted a "don't ask, don't tell" approach regarding children under 13 on its platforms, prioritizing profits over child safety. During the trial in Oakland, California, Arturo Bejar stated that Meta's focus was on user engagement metrics and profits, making safety an afterthought.
The lawsuit accuses Meta of knowingly collecting data from children under 13 without parental consent, violating federal law, and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by designing addicting features that hide harms from the public. Bejar found tens of thousands of underage children on Instagram, despite Meta's claims of detecting and banning them. The company denies the allegations and argues it is committed to safety.
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