Meta is embroiled in what could be its most significant trial yet, following two prior legal losses this year regarding child safety issues on its platforms. The federal trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, commenced in Oakland, California, last week with jury selection. The trial is anticipated to span six weeks, and Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, may be summoned to provide testimony.
The legal action traces back to nearly three years ago when several states, led by officials from both U.S. political parties, collectively filed a lawsuit in federal court in California. The lawsuit alleges that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, violated federal law by gathering data on users under 13 without parental consent. The extensive complaint further accuses Meta of concealing the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users, profiting from their attention through data collection and targeted advertising.
The trial’s initial phase features four states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with the possibility of additional states pursuing litigation later. The state attorneys general are seeking substantial damages and structural remedies if successful in their case. Meta attempted to bar a crucial witness, Arturo Béjar, from testifying, but the court denied the request. Béjar, a former Facebook director, previously testified about the platform’s shortcomings in addressing safety concerns for teens.
While the states have not disclosed the monetary damages sought, Meta estimates potential financial liabilities up to $1.4 trillion, a figure contested by legal experts as unrealistic. The trial’s outcome will determine any financial penalties imposed on Meta, in addition to potential changes to the company’s platforms, such as age restrictions and eliminating certain features like infinite scroll.
Meta refutes the allegations, asserting its dedication to supporting young users and highlighting the safety measures it has implemented since the lawsuit’s initiation. The company emphasizes its collaboration with experts and law enforcement to address critical issues. Notably, Meta is concurrently facing legal challenges in other jurisdictions, including ongoing litigation in Canada over alleged harm to young users.