Meta is set to face a significant trial starting Tuesday, following two previous losses this year regarding child safety on its platforms. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, California, involves an eight-person jury serving in an advisory capacity, with the final decision resting with Rogers alone. The trial is anticipated to span at least six weeks, with the possibility of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri being called to testify.
The trial’s roots trace back nearly three years when numerous states, led by officials from both U.S. political parties, collectively filed a lawsuit in federal court in California. The lawsuit accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of breaching federal law by gathering data on users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint, spanning 233 pages, alleged that Meta engaged in deceptive practices to hide the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users, while profiting from their attention through data collection and targeted advertising.
The trial’s initial phase involves four states—California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey—while additional states may proceed with their own trials subsequently. The trial’s outcome could have implications for Meta’s future legal battles with other states, depending on the verdict and any potential appeals.
Meta faces potential financial damages up to $1.4 trillion in the current trial, as per its legal filing. The company contests this claim, stating that such a sanction would be unprecedented and could have severe consequences. Apart from financial penalties, the state attorneys general are seeking court orders for Meta to implement changes to its platforms, such as age restrictions and the removal of infinite scroll features.
Meta has introduced new safety measures on its platforms since the lawsuit’s initiation, aimed at enhancing user protection, especially for young individuals. The company emphasizes its commitment to supporting young users and working with experts and law enforcement to address critical issues.
In a separate case in New Mexico, Meta faced substantial penalties and was directed to implement enhanced safety measures on its platforms. The company has been involved in multiple legal battles, including accusations of platform addiction and harm to young users, with ongoing litigation in various jurisdictions.