{
  "id": 1773058,
  "title": "Social media on trial as $200bn case against Facebook and Instagram begins",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/social-media-on-trial-as-200bn-case-against-facebook-and-instagram",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-18T18:27:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/18/meta-facebook-instagram-trial"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A major trial involving 29 US states has commenced against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claiming the platforms were designed to be addictive and targeted at children. This follows a previous Los Angeles jury ruling that found Meta liable for deliberately designing an addictive product that negatively impacted a young claimant's mental health, awarding the victim $6 million. In addition, Meta paid a total of $942 million in a separate New Mexico trial focusing on child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The attorneys general are seeking $200 billion in damages, roughly equivalent to the company's annual revenue. Meta argues that the estimated damages are unreasonable and that changes to the algorithm could significantly reduce engagement and hinder its ability to advertise. While some predict this could be \"the end of social media as we know it,\" others believe the impact may be less severe, citing the potential for significant financial consequences rather than the company's overall viability.",
  "summary": "Twenty-nine US states are seeking huge damages, claiming Meta’s platforms were addictive by design In 1994, more than 40 US states came together to sue one of the most powerful industries on earth: big tobacco. The suits brought together diverse claims centred on tobacco companies’ misleading advertising and contribution to a mounting public health crisis. They ended in a negotiated settlement…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "US states call for big changes to Instagram and Facebook as Meta child privacy trial begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/us-states-call-for-big-changes-to-instagram-and-facebook-as-meta",
        "published": "2026-08-18T11:45:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Facebook und Instagram: Prozess gegen Meta wegen App-Nutzung durch Kinder begonnen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/facebook-und-instagram-prozess-gegen-meta-wegen-app-nutzung-durch",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:05:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "US states call for big changes to Instagram and Facebook as Meta child privacy trial begins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/us-states-call-for-big-changes-to-instagram-and-facebook-as-meta-1770352",
        "published": "2026-08-18T18:06:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}