Meta, after losing two legal battles related to child safety this year, is now heading into a potentially critical trial starting Tuesday in Oakland, California. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, involves a jury that serves in an advisory capacity, with the final decision resting solely on Rogers. Expected to span at least six weeks, the trial may see Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, called as witnesses.
The lawsuit originated nearly three years ago when multiple states, led by officials from various political factions, jointly filed a federal lawsuit in California. The legal action accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of illegally gathering data from users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint, spanning 233 pages, alleged that Meta engaged in deceptive practices to hide the addictive and harmful nature of its platforms for young users while profiting from targeted advertising and data collection.
The trial’s initial phase involves four states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with the possibility of additional states pursuing separate trials later. Meta faces significant stakes in this trial, with potential far-reaching implications. The state attorneys general are seeking substantial damages and structural remedies, aiming to establish a precedent in this case.
Despite Meta’s denial of the allegations, the trial is set to reveal evidence of the company’s efforts to support young users. Meta has introduced new safety measures, such as teen accounts on Instagram with enhanced privacy features and parental controls. However, the legal landscape for Meta remains challenging, with recent legal expenses impacting the company’s financial performance.
In a separate case in New Mexico, Meta was ordered to pay substantial penalties, raising concerns about the company’s financial standing. The ongoing legal battles underscore the growing scrutiny surrounding social media platforms’ impact on youth mental health. With upcoming trials in various states and countries, Meta faces a complex legal landscape, highlighting the broader debate on social media regulation.