Serious accusations against Meta at the start of billion-dollar trial

Meta faces grave accusations in a potentially landmark US trial concerning the addictive nature of its social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook. Prosecutors contend that the tech giant has deliberately driven children and adolescents into addiction, exploited the functioning of their brains, and misled the public about the harms caused by its products.

California's Deputy Attorney General Megan O'Neill stated in her opening argument that Meta knew how damaging its platforms could be to young users but chose to conceal this information, prioritizing profit. "They knew, but again and again, profit came first," O'Neill told the courtroom.

The company is accused of making minors addicted and mentally ill through its online networks. Several US states are demanding significant penalties, estimated at around $200 billion, and seeking restrictions on features like endless scrolling, frequent notifications, and 'like' counts. These demands target the design of the platforms rather than their content.

The trial, which could have far-reaching consequences for Meta, is based on the "Facebook Files" released by former employee Frances Haugen in 2021. These documents revealed internal research on the mental health impacts of social media on minors. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify in September, with a verdict anticipated in early October.

“

They knew, but again and again, profit came first.