Meta is gearing up for a crucial trial starting Tuesday, following two previous legal losses related to child safety this year. The trial, with a jury selected last week in Oakland, California, will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers. Although the eight-person jury will offer advice, the final decision rests with Judge Rogers. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri may be called as witnesses during the expected six-week trial.
The lawsuit, brought by multiple states in California federal court nearly three years ago, accuses Meta of breaching federal laws by gathering data from users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint details how Meta allegedly conceals the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users, profiting from data collection and targeted advertising.
The trial will begin with four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey — seeking resolutions. The outcome could potentially influence further litigation with other states. Legal experts anticipate significant repercussions for Meta, with potential financial damages up to $1.4 trillion declared in court filings. Meta refutes the allegations, highlighting its efforts to enhance youth safety on its platforms through new features and AI technology.
In a separate case in New Mexico, Meta faced penalties totaling over $900 million, with funds allocated for youth services. The company is also embroiled in other legal battles across the U.S. and Canada over alleged harm to young users. The trial’s outcome could have far-reaching implications for Meta’s future operations and regulatory compliance.