Meta is gearing up for a significant trial as it faces a federal court case starting Tuesday in Oakland, California. The trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, involves allegations of violating federal laws by collecting data on users under 13 without parental consent. The trial, anticipated to span six weeks, could see Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri called to testify.
The lawsuit, filed nearly three years ago by multiple states, accuses Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of deceptive practices in concealing the negative impact and addictive nature of its platforms on young users. The complaint alleges that Meta profits from data harvesting and targeted advertising while failing to protect young users adequately.
The trial, led by four states initially, seeks extraordinary damages and structural remedies if successful. Meta could potentially face financial penalties of up to $1.4 trillion as per legal filings, a figure deemed unrealistic by legal experts. In addition to financial damages, the states are pushing for changes to Meta’s platforms, including age restrictions and the elimination of infinite scroll.
Meta denies the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to supporting young users and highlighting safety measures introduced post-lawsuit filing. The company has faced legal challenges in various jurisdictions, including a recent trial in New Mexico resulting in significant financial penalties. Additionally, Meta is embroiled in litigation in Tennessee and Canada over alleged harms to young users.