Meta Platforms has denied allegations made by a coalition of U.S. states that it deliberately aimed to create dependency among young users on its Facebook and Instagram services for financial gain. The trial, which commenced on Tuesday, could have significant implications for some of the most widely used apps globally.
A bipartisan group consisting of 29 U.S. states is taking legal action against Meta, seeking potentially substantial financial penalties and alterations to Meta’s business practices. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, as the lead states, have accused Meta of structuring Facebook and Instagram to engage young users addictively, leading to mental health concerns and deceptive safety practices. All 29 states have accused Meta of breaching federal regulations by inappropriately collecting and utilizing children’s personal information.
Legal experts have labeled the trial in the federal court in Oakland, California, as a crucial examination of social media’s impact on young individuals. Besides Meta, other social media entities like Snap, ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company), and Alphabet (YouTube’s parent company) are facing numerous lawsuits from various entities and individuals questioning the harmful effects of their platforms on young users.
During the trial’s opening statements, Megan O’Neill, a California deputy attorney general, asserted that Meta’s strategy was focused on engaging users, retaining their attention, gathering their data, and concealing the truth from the public eye. She emphasized that this approach was particularly effective with children, indicating Meta’s priority in attracting and ensuring the safety of young users.
Contrastingly, Meta’s attorney, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged the challenges some social media users encounter but cited research suggesting no definitive correlation between adolescents’ social media usage and their well-being. Schmidt highlighted Meta’s commitment, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to enhancing services rather than endangering users.
The trial’s jury is anticipated to provide a non-binding advisory verdict, which Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will consider in determining Meta’s liability. If found liable, Meta could face civil penalties and mandated revisions to its platforms. The proposed penalties range from $200 billion to $1.4 trillion, nearly equivalent to Meta’s market value.
California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are advocating for substantial changes to Facebook and Instagram, such as eliminating features like likes and infinite scrolling, setting usage time limits for minors, and enforcing stringent measures to prevent children under 13 from accessing the platforms.
The trial’s commencement featured Arturo Bejar, a former Meta safety engineer, as the states’ initial witness. Bejar testified about Meta’s disregard for child safety measures and the company’s lack of monitoring children under 13 online. Despite Meta’s attempts to block his testimony, the judge allowed Bejar’s statements, highlighting Meta’s approach to product deployment without prioritizing safety.
Expected testimonies from Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are scheduled, with the trial expected to span six weeks. Following the trial’s inception, Meta’s shares experienced a decline in trading. Critics outside the courthouse voiced concerns over Meta’s impact, with one mother attributing her son’s tragic suicide to social media-related issues.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2023 following whistleblower Frances Haugen’s revelations, underscores growing concerns regarding social media’s impact on young users. Recent legal actions against Meta in various states further emphasize the ongoing debate over the responsibility and potential harms associated with social media platforms.