Meta is gearing up for a pivotal trial starting Tuesday, following two earlier legal setbacks this year related to child safety issues. The trial, set to last six weeks in Oakland, Calif., will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, with an advisory jury playing a role in the decision-making process.
The lawsuit, initially filed nearly three years ago by a coalition of states, accuses Meta — the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp — of unlawfully gathering data on users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint alleges that Meta obscured the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms aimed at young users, while profiting from targeted advertising and data collection.
The trial’s first phase involves four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey — with more states possibly following suit later. The outcome could influence Meta’s approach to future legal battles. Legal experts anticipate a high-stakes trial, with the states seeking significant financial penalties and structural changes to Meta’s platforms.
Meta has refuted the allegations, emphasizing its efforts to enhance user safety, including the introduction of new safety features and restrictions on underage usage. The company faces mounting legal challenges globally, with ongoing litigation in multiple jurisdictions over alleged harms to young users and concerns about platform addiction.