Meta trial opens as 29 states allege platforms harmed children

A trial against Meta opened Tuesday with 29 US states alleging the company designed Facebook and Instagram to keep children engaged, improperly collected their data and misled consumers about safety.

California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the case. California Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill told jurors that Meta’s business model depended on holding users’ attention and harvesting their data.

The states link the platforms’ design to anxiety, depression and suicide among young users. All 29 states also claim Meta violated federal law by collecting and using children’s personal data.

An eight-person jury in Oakland will issue an advisory verdict. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide liability and could impose civil penalties or order changes to the platforms.

The lead states want age restrictions and the removal of infinite scroll. Meta estimated potential penalties could reach $1.4 trillion, while the states said a figure closer to $200 billion was more likely.

Meta said the allegations were unsupported, denied making misleading safety claims and argued that the states had not shown harm to their residents. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify.

The six-week trial is part of broader litigation against Meta and other social media companies over alleged harm to young users.