Hook, hold, harvest and hide: Meta’s alleged strategy laid out in first week of landmark trial

In the opening week of a landmark trial against Meta, prosecutors allege the company designed addictive social media platforms to target and exploit children. According to California lawyer Megan O’Neill, who is leading the prosecution, Meta’s strategy consists of four key actions: "hook, hold, harvest, hide." The company allegedly uses these tactics to entice users, keep them engaged for as long as possible, collect their data, and then conceal the truth from the public.

The trial, which commenced in Oakland, California, involves 29 US states accusing Meta of violating child privacy laws and consumer protection laws by collecting data from children under 13 without parental consent. The trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, will feature testimony from former Meta employees, psychologists, and the company's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, along with Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri.

Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Béjar, who has criticized the company, testified that he observed children receiving unwanted sexual advances, explicit photos, and misogynistic insults on Instagram. He also expressed concern that Meta's response to child safety issues was inadequate, describing the company's approach as "don’t ask, don’t tell." Despite Béjar's critical testimony, Meta has denied all allegations and characterized the lawsuit as an attempt to secure a large payout rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.