Meta is gearing up for a significant trial, following two previous losses on child safety issues this year. The trial, set to commence on Tuesday, involves a federal case in Oakland, California, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers. While an eight-person jury will provide recommendations, Judge Rogers will make the final decision independently. The trial is anticipated to span six weeks, with the potential for Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, to testify.
The lawsuit at the core of the trial was filed nearly three years ago by multiple states, alleging that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, violated federal laws by collecting data from users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint, spanning 233 pages, accuses Meta of concealing the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users while profiting from data harvesting and targeted advertising.
The initial trial involves four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Additional states may pursue separate trials later. However, a negative outcome for Meta in this trial could prompt the company to seek to avoid further legal battles. Meta sought to prevent a key witness, Arturo Béjar, from testifying but was unsuccessful. Béjar, a former Facebook director, highlighted the company’s insufficient safety measures and its ineffectiveness in addressing safety concerns.
While the states have not disclosed a specific monetary demand, Meta anticipates potential financial damages of up to $1.4 trillion. Legal experts question the feasibility of such a high penalty, emphasizing its potential impact on Meta’s financial stability. Besides financial repercussions, the states are seeking court orders to enforce changes in Meta’s platforms, including age restrictions and the elimination of infinite scroll.
Meta refutes the allegations, asserting its dedication to supporting young users. The company has introduced new safety measures, such as private teen accounts on Instagram and enhanced parental controls. Despite ongoing legal challenges, Meta remains embroiled in various lawsuits, including cases in Tennessee and Canada, alleging harm to young users.
