Meta faces trial in US over claims of designing addictive platforms for minors

A landmark trial against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has begun in a federal court in California. Twenty-nine U.S. states accuse the tech giant of intentionally designing and implementing features that foster addiction among children and adolescents, causing significant physical and mental harm.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023 and led by California, Arizona, and Colorado, asserts that Meta violated federal and state laws, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Prosecutors argue that the company misled the public about the risks associated with its platforms while prioritizing profits over the well-being of young users.

"One of my most important duties as attorney general is to protect our children from any harm. As our lawsuit alleges, Meta prioritizes profits over child safety and constantly violates consumer protection laws," stated California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The company has faced several legal setbacks in the case, including a recent appellate court denial of its request to delay the proceedings.

This trial marks the first time Meta faces a lawsuit from this coalition of states. Other major tech companies, including Google, ByteDance (TikTok's parent company), and Snap, are facing similar accusations. A recent ruling in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $567 million towards a youth mental health fund, setting a potential precedent for the ongoing litigation.

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One of my most important duties as attorney general is to protect our children from any harm. As our lawsuit alleges, Meta prioritizes profits over child safety and constantly violates consumer protection laws.