Meta faces federal trial over alleged child safety harms in California
Opening arguments will begin Tuesday in a federal case accusing Meta of harming children through its platforms.
In Oakland, California, a federal trial against Meta Platforms is set to start with opening arguments on Tuesday. Attorneys general from four states are suing the company, claiming that features on Facebook and Instagram deliberately foster addiction among minors and that Meta unlawfully gathers data from children under 13 without parental permission. The lawsuit seeks substantial financial damages and mandates changes to the way the platforms operate.
Meta responded that it has a solid case, emphasizing its longstanding efforts to protect teenage users. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, appointed in 2011, will preside over the proceedings, which are projected to last six to eight weeks and may feature testimony from Mark Zuckerberg and other senior staff. The case adds to a broader wave of litigation targeting major social media firms over alleged harms to young people.
Why it matters
The trial could reshape how major social media platforms handle child safety and data privacy.
How this story developed
- Aug 8 Federal Trial Targets Meta Over Alleged Child Harm and $1.4 Trillion Claim
- Aug 11 The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Meta and TikTok’s appeal, allowing the lawsuits to proceed.
- Aug 13 Jury selection started in Oakland for the multistate trial.
- Aug 14 A Ninth Circuit court ruled that Section 230 does not shield Meta from the design‑related allegations.
- Aug 17 A jury of eight was empaneled in Oakland federal court to hear the case.
- Aug 18 Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers denied Meta's motion to dismiss the case.
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