Meta is heading into one of the most consequential court battles in social media history Tuesday as opening arguments begin in a federal trial over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed with features that encourage compulsive use among children and teenagers.
The case, unfolding in federal court in Oakland, California, stems from a broader lawsuit brought by 29 states. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading this phase of the litigation, accusing Meta of misleading the public about the safety of its platforms while using features such as infinite scrolling and frequent notifications to keep younger users engaged.
The states also allege Meta collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, in violation of federal law. Meta denies the allegations and says it has spent years developing protections for young users, including parental controls and other safety features.
The stakes extend well beyond financial penalties. The states are seeking changes to how Meta operates Facebook and Instagram, including restrictions on features they contend encourage compulsive use. Meta has said potential penalties under the states’ theories could reach as high as $1.4 trillion, although any actual award would depend on how the court ultimately rules.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the trial, which could last several weeks. An advisory jury will hear the case, but U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will make the final decision — a ruling that could influence how social media companies design and operate platforms used by millions of young Americans.
