Meta Platforms has refuted allegations made by a group of U.S. states that accused the company of purposely fostering addiction among young users of its Facebook and Instagram platforms for financial gain. The trial, which commenced on Tuesday, has the potential to significantly impact some of the most widely used apps globally.
In a lawsuit filed by a bipartisan coalition of 29 U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, Meta is accused of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to engage young users, leading to increased levels of stress, depression, and even self-harm. The states claim that Meta misled consumers about the safety of its platforms and violated federal regulations by improperly collecting and utilizing children’s personal information.
Described as a significant legal examination of social media’s impact on young individuals, the trial taking place in an Oakland, California federal court involves Meta and other major social media companies facing numerous lawsuits from various entities over the alleged harmful effects of their products on young users.
During the trial’s opening statements, Megan O’Neill, a deputy attorney general for California, contended that Meta’s business strategy revolved around attracting and retaining users, harvesting their data, and concealing the truth from the public. She emphasized that this approach particularly targeted children, underscoring Meta’s reliance on this demographic and the necessity to assure their safety.
In response, Meta’s attorney, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged the challenges some social media users encounter but pointed out that research did not definitively link adolescents’ social media usage to diminished well-being. He highlighted Meta’s commitment, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to enhance its services with a focus on safety rather than endangerment.
The trial proceedings are expected to span six weeks, with the jury set to provide an advisory verdict that could influence U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ final determination of Meta’s liability. Should Meta be found liable, potential penalties and modifications to Facebook and Instagram could be mandated, with Meta estimating penalties as high as $1.4 trillion US, nearly equivalent to the company’s market value.
The attorneys general representing the states suggested that penalties could reach up to $200 billion US, approximately three years of Meta’s after-tax profits. Additionally, they seek significant alterations to Facebook and Instagram, including removing features like likes and infinite scrolling, establishing usage time limits for young users, and enforcing measures to prevent children under 13 from accessing the platforms.
Following the conclusion of opening arguments, Arturo Bejar, a former Meta safety engineer, testified as the first witness on behalf of the states. Bejar alleged that Meta was aware of the ineffectiveness of its child safety tools and criticized the company’s approach to monitoring underage users. Despite Meta’s attempts to impede Bejar’s testimony, the judge dismissed these efforts, allowing his insights into Meta’s practices to be presented.
The trial is set to include testimonies from key figures such as Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri, CEO of Instagram. External critics of Meta, including Mary Rodee, whose son’s tragic death was linked to social media use, voiced their concerns outside the courthouse as the trial unfolded.
The lawsuit originated in 2023, following revelations by whistleblower Frances Haugen regarding Meta’s knowledge of the risks its products posed to children. Recent legal actions, such as a New Mexico court ordering Meta to address mental health concerns and a Los Angeles jury ruling in favor of a woman alleging addiction to Instagram and YouTube, underscore the mounting legal challenges confronting Meta over its platform practices.