Meta, having encountered legal setbacks regarding child safety issues on its platforms this year, is about to face a significant trial starting Tuesday. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, California, saw jury selection last week. Although the eight-person jury will provide input, the final decision rests with Judge Rogers.
This trial, which may span six weeks, could involve testimonies from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri. The lawsuit stems from allegations made nearly three years ago by a coalition of states asserting that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, violated laws by collecting data from users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint, spanning 233 pages, accused Meta of deceptive practices aimed at concealing the addictive nature of its platforms for young users while profiting from targeted advertising through data collection.
The trial’s initial phase involves California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with additional states potentially facing separate trials later. The outcome of this trial could impact future litigation involving Meta. Legal experts believe the $1.4 trillion in potential financial damages claimed by Meta is unrealistic and could have severe implications for the company if upheld. The states are also seeking changes to Meta’s platforms, including age restrictions and the removal of infinite scroll features.
Meta, in response, refutes the accusations and emphasizes its efforts to safeguard young users. The company has implemented new safety measures, such as private teen accounts on Instagram and AI tools to identify underage users and enforce age restrictions.
In a related case in New Mexico, Meta faced significant penalties, with a portion of the fines allocated to youth-oriented services and awareness programs. The company has been entangled in various lawsuits across different states and countries, with ongoing legal battles challenging its platform’s impact on young users.