Meta is gearing up for a pivotal trial set to commence on Tuesday, following two earlier legal defeats this year related to child safety issues on its platforms. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, California, involves a federal lawsuit initiated nearly three years ago by multiple U.S. states. The lawsuit accuses Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of unlawfully gathering data from users under 13 without parental consent, concealing the addictive nature and potential harm of its platforms, and profiting from targeted advertising.
The trial, which features an eight-person advisory jury, is anticipated to span at least six weeks with potential testimonies from Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram’s head Adam Mosseri. The lawsuit seeks to establish a precedent with significant implications for Meta, as the states are pursuing substantial financial damages and structural changes to Meta’s platforms. The outcome of this trial could influence subsequent legal actions by other states against Meta.
Despite Meta’s efforts to enhance safety features and deny the allegations, legal experts question the feasibility of the $1.4 trillion financial penalty stated in Meta’s legal filing. The company’s profitability has been impacted by mounting legal expenses, including recent penalties in the New Mexico case. Additionally, Meta is facing legal challenges in various jurisdictions, including Tennessee and Canada, over alleged harms to young users.
As the trial unfolds, Meta’s response to the accusations and the court’s decisions will shape the company’s future actions and the broader regulatory landscape for social media platforms.