Meta is gearing up for a significant trial that commenced on Tuesday, following its two previous defeats this year in cases related to child safety on its platforms. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, Calif., involves jury selection, with an eight-person jury providing advisory input while the final decision rests with Judge Rogers alone. The trial is expected to span six weeks, potentially featuring testimonies from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
The lawsuit at the core of the trial was initiated nearly three years ago by multiple states, alleging that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, violated federal laws by gathering data on users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint, totaling 233 pages, accuses Meta of concealing the addictive and harmful nature of its platforms for young users while profiting from targeted advertising and data collection practices.
The trial’s initial phase involves four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey — with the possibility of additional trials in other states depending on the outcome. The prosecution aims for substantial damages and structural changes to Meta’s platforms if successful. The trial also involves testimony from a key witness, Arturo Béjar, a former Facebook engineering director.
While the states have not disclosed their monetary demands, Meta stated in a legal filing that it could face up to $1.4 trillion in financial penalties. Legal experts view this figure as unrealistic, given Meta’s financial standing. Alongside monetary damages, the prosecution seeks platform modifications, such as age restrictions and the elimination of infinite scroll features.
Meta defends itself against the allegations, highlighting its efforts to support young users and implement enhanced safety measures post-lawsuit filing. The company introduced teen accounts on Instagram with enhanced privacy settings and parental controls. Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Meta faces additional litigation in various jurisdictions, including Tennessee and Canada, over similar concerns about the impact of its platforms on young users.
