{
  "id": 1644275,
  "title": "Major Meta trial begins as lawyers spar over witnesses, damages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/major-meta-trial-begins-as-lawyers-spar-over-witnesses-damages-1644275",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T05:32:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/08/18/major-meta-trial-begins-as-lawyers-spar-over-witnesses-damages"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A landmark social media trial involving Facebook parent Meta is set to begin in California on Tuesday, with attorneys clashing over witnesses and potential financial penalties. The four states selected to represent a coalition suing Meta argue that the company deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for children, violating state and federal laws. Meta, which has over three billion global users, attempted to block an ex-employee and expert witness, Arturo Bejar, from testifying, but a federal judge ruled against the company, describing it as a \"Hail Mary\" attempt to eliminate a strong witness for the plaintiffs. Bejar's upcoming testimony will address Meta's practices regarding safety and growth, and whether the company misrepresented its knowledge. Meta is also challenging the scope of testimony from another potential expert witness, Colin Gray, who will be questioned about \"dark patterns\" - features designed to manipulate users into making preferred choices. The states seek around $200 billion in financial penalties from Meta, though they believe the figure was exaggerated for shock value. In addition to monetary damages, the states are demanding changes to Meta's apps. An advisory jury of eight people was selected, and the judge will make the final decision. The six-week trial is expected to reach a verdict by early October, potentially marking a significant turning point for Meta amidst broader concerns about mental health and safety issues on social media platforms.",
  "summary": "Meta was accused of deliberately making Facebook and Instagram addictive for children, in violation of state and federal laws.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "A look at major lawsuits against Meta and other social media companies over harms to kids",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/a-look-at-major-lawsuits-against-meta-and-other-social-media",
        "published": "2026-08-18T03:53:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Opening arguments set to begin in Meta’s federal trial over child harms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/opening-arguments-set-to-begin-in-metas-federal-trial-over-child-harms",
        "published": "2026-08-18T04:02:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "A look at major lawsuits against Meta, other social media companies over harms to kids",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/a-look-at-major-lawsuits-against-meta-other-social-media-companies",
        "published": "2026-08-18T05:10:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Major Meta trial begins as lawyers spar over witnesses, damages",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/major-meta-trial-begins-as-lawyers-spar-over-witnesses-damages",
        "published": "2026-08-18T05:32:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Major Meta trial begins as lawyers spar over witnesses, damages",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/major-meta-trial-begins-as-lawyers-spar-over-witnesses-damages-1644112",
        "published": "2026-08-18T05:39:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Meta trial over social media harm to children begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/meta-trial-over-social-media-harm-to-children-begins",
        "published": "2026-08-18T08:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}