Meta is gearing up for a crucial trial starting this week in Oakland, California, following two prior legal losses related to child safety issues. Jury selection has already occurred for the federal trial overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, where an eight-person jury will offer advisory opinions, with the final decision resting with Judge Rogers alone. The trial is anticipated to span around six weeks, potentially involving testimonies from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
The legal battle traces back to nearly three years ago when numerous states jointly filed a lawsuit in federal court in California, accusing Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of breaching federal regulations by gathering data from users under 13 without parental consent. The extensive complaint highlighted Meta’s alleged deceptive practices in concealing the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users, while profiting from targeted advertising through data collection.
The trial’s initial phase includes California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with the possibility of other states pursuing separate legal actions in the future. Legal experts note the high stakes involved, with potential significant financial repercussions for Meta. The company faces demands for structural changes to its platforms, such as enforcing age restrictions and eliminating features like infinite scroll.
Meta has refuted the accusations, emphasizing its dedication to supporting youth and highlighting recent safety enhancements introduced after the lawsuit’s initiation. The company remains embroiled in various legal battles, including ongoing litigation in Tennessee and Canada over alleged harms inflicted on young users.