Meta Platforms is facing a major US trial after California alleged at the opening that the company intentionally sought to addict children to Facebook and Instagram. The case centers on claims that Meta designed features to keep young users engaged, raising the prospect of significant changes to how some of the world’s biggest social media platforms operate.
The lawsuit was brought by a bipartisan group of 29 US states. Four lead states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are spearheading the case against Meta over the design of Facebook and Instagram and their effects on younger users.
The states are seeking potentially tens or hundreds of billions of dollars in penalties, along with changes to how Meta does business. The trial is being closely watched as a major test of how far US authorities can push social media companies to alter products accused of harming children.