Meta Platforms Inc. is facing a landmark trial in a California federal court in Oakland, where more than half of U.S. states are accusing the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of deliberately designing addictive products. The lawsuit alleges that Meta lured in young users, harmed their mental health, and deceived the public to increase advertising revenue.
Attorneys general from 29 to 30 states, including those from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, argue that the company violated state consumer protection laws and federal rules protecting children online. The prosecution claims Meta exploited how children's brains work to turn them into compulsive users while hiding knowledge of the resulting harm. These legal actions follow 2021 whistleblower claims regarding a profit-driven disregard for youth safety.
Meta has rejected the accusations, arguing that social media addiction does not exist. The jury trial is expected to last between six and eight weeks and is anticipated to include testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, and whistleblower Arturo Béjar.
The outcome of the trial could have broad effects, as the states are seeking billions of dollars in damages. In addition to massive financial penalties, the court could issue orders forcing Meta to overhaul its platforms and fundamentally change how Facebook and Instagram operate.