Meta’s Big Reckoning Is Here

Meta is now facing a major legal challenge in a federal civil trial in the Northern District of California. A jury in California found the company liable for harming a young user, and earlier this month, Meta was ordered to pay over $940 million in New Mexico for causing psychological harm to children. The plaintiffs, 29 state attorneys general from four states, claim that Meta violated the federal privacy law COPPA by collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.

They also allege that Meta made deceptive statements about its platform, potentially misleading consumers. The focus of the trial is on Meta's Facebook and Instagram apps. While Meta maintains compliance with COPPA and denies the claims of deceptive statements, it asserts its protection under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.

The trial began with opening statements from both sides, presided over by Chief District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Meta's lead attorney, Paul Schmidt, presented the company's safety features and its commitment to improving the apps, while shifting some responsibility onto users. Meanwhile, a former Meta employee, Arturo Bejar, testified that Mark Zuckerberg prioritized growth over youth safety during his tenure.

The trial has raised concerns about Meta's approach to safeguarding younger users and the potential implications for the company if found liable.