Meta is gearing up for a significant federal trial in California following two previous losses in child safety cases this year. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, started with jury selection last week in Oakland. Although an eight-person jury will provide guidance, the final decision rests with Judge Rogers alone. The trial is projected to span six weeks, with potential testimonies from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
The lawsuit, initiated nearly three years ago by numerous states, alleges that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, violated federal law by collecting data from users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint further accuses Meta of concealing the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users while profiting through data collection and targeted advertising.
The trial’s first phase involves four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Depending on the outcome, additional states may pursue separate trials. Meta faces substantial financial risks, with potential damages amounting to $1.4 trillion as per the company’s legal filing, a figure disputed by experts as unrealistic.
Meta has introduced new safety measures, including private teen accounts on Instagram and AI tools to detect underage users. The company refutes the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to youth safety. Despite ongoing legal challenges, Meta’s profitability has recently declined, partly due to increased legal expenses.
Various jurisdictions, including New Mexico and Los Angeles, have held Meta accountable for platform harms, leading to substantial financial penalties and mandated safety enhancements. The company is also entangled in legal disputes in Tennessee and Canada over alleged addictive and harmful effects on young users.