Meta is facing a major federal trial in Oakland, California, after 29 US states accused the company of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for children and teenagers. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the case. The states also allege that Meta collected information from children under 13 without proper parental consent and put financial interests ahead of user safety. Prosecutors are pointing to features such as infinite scrolling, frequent notifications and image filters, arguing that these were designed to keep young users engaged. Meta denies the allegations and says the claims are exaggerated and unsupported by evidence. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks. An advisory jury will hear the case, but the final decision will be made by the judge. The states are seeking major financial penalties and changes to Meta's platforms.
Meta is facing a major federal trial in Oakland, California, after 29 US states accused the company of deliberately designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for children and teenagers. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the case. The states also allege that Meta collected information from children under 13 without proper parental consent and put financial interests ahead of user safety. Prosecutors are pointing to features such as infinite scrolling, frequent notifications and image filters, arguing that these were designed to keep young users engaged. Meta denies the allegations and says the claims are exaggerated and unsupported by evidence. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks. An advisory jury will hear the case, but the final decision will be made by the judge. The states are seeking major financial penalties and changes to Meta's platforms.