Meta Faces Trial over Alleged Harm to Children

Meta is facing a trial in California that could force changes to Facebook and Instagram, as four US states accuse the company of designing its platforms to addict children and teenagers while misleading the public about their safety.

California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading a bipartisan coalition of 29 states suing Meta. The four lead states allege that Facebook and Instagram caused harm to young users, including anxiety, depression and suicide.

Megan O’Neill, a deputy California attorney general, told jurors that Meta’s business model was to keep users on its platforms for as long as possible, collect their data and conceal the truth from the public. She said the approach worked particularly well with children.

All 29 states also allege that Meta violated federal law by improperly collecting and using children’s personal data.

Meta denies the allegations and says it has made extensive efforts to protect young users. The company maintains that it did not make misleading statements about safety and that the states have failed to show that their residents were harmed.

The eight-person jury is expected to issue an advisory verdict, while US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will determine whether Meta is liable. If she finds against the company, she could impose civil penalties and order changes to Facebook and Instagram.

Meta co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify. The trial is scheduled to last six weeks.

(Reuters, bak)