Meta is facing a pivotal trial commencing on Tuesday after losing two child safety-related trials earlier this year. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, Calif., involves a jury as an advisory body, with the final decision up to Rogers alone. The trial is expected to span six weeks, with the potential testimonies of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
The trial originated nearly three years ago when several states jointly filed a lawsuit in federal court in California, alleging Meta’s violations of federal law by collecting data on users under 13 without parental consent. The lawsuit accused Meta of concealing the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users while profiting from data harvesting and targeted advertising.
The trial’s initial phase involves four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey — with additional states possibly facing trials later. The stakes are high, with states seeking substantial damages and structural remedies. Meta’s attempt to prevent a key witness, Arturo Béjar, from testifying was denied by Judge Rogers last week.
While monetary damages sought by the states remain undisclosed, Meta anticipates potential financial liabilities of up to $1.4 trillion. The company argues that such a sanction would be unprecedented and unfeasible given its financial standing. In addition to financial penalties, the states are requesting platform alterations, including age restrictions and the elimination of infinite scroll.
Meta refutes the allegations, emphasizing its dedication to youth safety and highlighting new safety measures introduced post-lawsuit filing. Despite legal challenges, Meta is navigating various litigations globally, including in New Mexico and Tennessee. The company is also facing legal actions in Canada over alleged harms to young users.
