Meta is gearing up for a significant trial that could be its most critical yet, following two previous losses this year over child safety issues on its platforms. The trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, California, commenced with jury selection last week. Although an eight-person jury will provide a decision, their role is merely advisory, with Judge Rogers having the ultimate decision-making authority.
The trial, anticipated to span at least six weeks, may see Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri called in as witnesses. The legal battle originated nearly three years ago when a coalition of states, representing officials from various U.S. political parties, filed a lawsuit in federal court in California. The lawsuit alleges that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, violated federal law by unlawfully gathering data on users under 13 without parental consent.
The states assert that Meta engaged in deceptive practices to conceal the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users, while profiting from data harvesting and targeted advertising. The trial’s initial phase involves California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with the possibility of additional states pursuing separate trials in the future. The outcomes of this trial could significantly impact Meta’s legal standing and approach to subsequent litigation with other states.
Meta attempted to prevent a key witness, Arturo Béjar, from testifying in the upcoming trial, but the court denied this request. Béjar, a former Facebook engineering director, previously testified about Facebook’s knowledge of online harms to teens and the company’s inadequate safety measures. The states have not disclosed the monetary damages sought, while Meta has warned of potential financial penalties up to $1.4 trillion in court filings, a figure experts deem unrealistic.
In response to the allegations, Meta maintains its innocence, emphasizing its dedication to supporting young users. The company has implemented new safety features on its platforms since the lawsuit’s initiation, including teen accounts on Instagram with enhanced privacy and parental controls. The legal landscape for Meta has been challenging, with recent court rulings ordering significant financial penalties and safety improvements on its platforms. The company is currently embroiled in various legal battles in different states and countries over alleged harm to young users.