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Meta trial alleges addictive design that collects child data unlawfully
California and 28 other states are seeking up to $200bn in damages and court-ordered product redesign if they win the case in Oakland.
Meta is facing a high-stakes trial in Oakland, California, where California and 28 other US states accuse the parent of Facebook and Instagram of building addictive products and violating child privacy laws.
According to arguments presented at trial, prosecutors say Meta “hooks” and “holds” users on its platforms, “harvests” their data, and then “hides” the truth from the public, with Megan O’Neill, a lawyer for the state of California, describing the alleged business model as especially effective for kids.
The states contend Meta collected data on children under age 13 without parental permission, in violation of federal child privacy requirements and state consumer protection laws. The jury is also expected to hear testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri.
The threat to Meta is described as existential, with damages claimed to reach as much as $200bn if the company is found liable, plus requests for the company to change product design to make platforms safer for children. Meta denies the allegations, and a company spokesperson said the states are pursuing an outlandish payout rather than the facts or the law.