Ex-Meta director says Instagram ignored kids, prioritized profits

Arturo Béjar, a former engineering director at Meta, testified in a landmark trial that the company maintained a "don't ask, don't tell" approach concerning users under 13 on its platforms, particularly Instagram. Béjar, who has previously testified before Congress on child safety issues, told jurors that Meta consistently prioritized profits over user well-being, focusing on engagement metrics like usage frequency and duration, even when detrimental to mental health.

"If you step away from the product, they are not going to make any money," Béjar stated, explaining the company's profit-driven design philosophy. The trial, which began in federal court in Oakland, California, involves Meta facing lawsuits from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. These states are among 29 that sued the tech giant in 2023 over child safety and privacy concerns.

The lawsuit accuses Meta of exacerbating the youth mental health crisis by intentionally designing features that foster addiction among children and concealing these harms from the public. Furthermore, it alleges that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without parental consent, violating the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Meta maintains that users must be at least 13 years old to create an account, adhering to COPPA regulations.

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If you step away from the product, they are not going to make any money.

Béjar's testimony detailed his perception of the company's attitude toward underage users. "The attitude in particular on Instagram was 'Don't ask, don't tell,'" he said when questioned about the company's approach to users younger than 13. This statement suggests a deliberate lack of inquiry into users' ages, potentially allowing minors onto the platform despite stated age restrictions.

The trial is expected to last approximately six weeks, with other states pursuing similar lawsuits in separate proceedings. The core of the legal challenge revolves around Meta's alleged failure to adequately protect minors on its social media platforms and its prioritization of financial gain over the safety and mental health of its youngest users.

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The attitude in particular on Instagram was ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell.’