Meta Faces Federal Trial Over Allegations of Youth Harm and Data Tracking
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A federal trial involving Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to commence next week, with jury selection having begun on Wednesday. The trial is centered on claims that Meta’s platforms negatively impact youth mental health and illegally track children, contravening federal regulations.
This trial, expected to span six to eight weeks, will specifically address cases brought by four states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Notably, a separate trial is ongoing in Tennessee, with eight states having pursued legal action in their respective courts.
The 2023 lawsuit filed in Oakland’s federal court contends that Meta has been gathering data on children under 13 without parental consent, thereby violating federal law. The complaint accuses Meta of deploying sophisticated technologies to attract and engage young users primarily for profit. It states, “Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms.”
This lawsuit is part of a broader wave of legal challenges directed at Meta and other social media giants like Google’s YouTube, TikTok, and Snap. These platforms are accused of harming young users, collecting their data unlawfully, and designing features to foster addiction.
Recent Legal Developments and Penalties
In a recent development, a New Mexico court mandated that Meta pay $567 million in the second phase of a significant trial addressing the adverse effects of its platforms on young users. This penalty supplements the $375 million in civil fines imposed in March after a jury concluded that Meta had knowingly harmed children’s mental health and obscured information regarding child sexual exploitation on its platforms.
In the ongoing trial, prosecutors are advocating for substantial changes at Meta, including curbing addictive features, enhancing age verification, and preventing child sexual exploitation through improved privacy settings and oversight.
The states involved are seeking stringent penalties and operational changes to ensure the safety of children on Meta’s platforms. Meta has indicated it has already implemented numerous safety features and is appealing the New Mexico ruling.
In response to these allegations, Meta expressed its disagreement, stating, “We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people. We’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we’re always working to do better.”
