US trial against Meta over harm to children begins, prosecutors reveal main accusations (Updated)
Opening statements have begun in a large-scale trial against Meta in the federal court in Oakland, California, over possible harm from Facebook and Instagram to children. Representatives of US states told the jury that the company allegedly deliberately created mechanisms that forced minors to return to social media and spend increasingly more time on them.
The case in court is being led by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. They represent a broader coalition of 29 states that filed lawsuits against Meta.
California Deputy Attorney General Megan O'Neil said during her opening statement that the parties will see Meta's internal research on the behavior of children and teenagers on its platforms. According to the plaintiffs, the company knew about the risks of excessive use of Instagram and Facebook but publicly minimized them.
State representatives emphasize that the case does not involve prohibiting Instagram or denying the benefits of social media. The key question is whether Meta misled users and parents about risks to children and whether it used platform design to maximize retention of young audiences.
A separate block of claims concerns users under 13. States claim that Meta illegally collected and used data from such children without proper parental consent. The plaintiffs believe the company may have violated the federal COPPA law on protecting children's privacy online, as well as state consumer protection laws.
Meta rejects the allegations. A company representative told SFGATE that the states' claims are not supported by adequate evidence, and the financial demands are disproportionate. The company also emphasizes that it has implemented enhanced protection for teenagers, time control tools, and other safety features.
Meta's lawyers also said during opening statements that internal correspondence and company documents may be presented by plaintiffs without proper context. The defense insists that tracking user activity and engagement is in itself a common practice for digital business.
The outcome of the trial could have consequences not only in the form of financial penalties. The states are seeking changes in the operation of Facebook and Instagram, including features and algorithms that, in their view, encourage prolonged use of platforms by minors.
Earlier it was reported about the beginning of this trial and jury selection. At that time, it was mentioned potentially huge size of financial claims against Meta. Now the trial has moved to consideration of the case on the merits - the parties presented their main arguments to the jury.
The trial is expected to last about six weeks. Its outcome could become one of the most important precedents in the US regarding the responsibility of social platforms for the impact of their products on minors.
Based on materials from: SFGATE, Axios, California Department of Justice
