As a landmark federal trial kicks off on Tuesday, California prosecutors claim that an app created by Mark Zuckerberg’s company is designed to get children hooked and misrepresents health risks to maximize profits.
A group of 29 state attorneys general is pushing for significant changes to how Facebook and Instagram function through this notable lawsuit in Oakland, California. If successful, this case could reshape Meta’s entire business model and potentially result in damages as high as $1.4 trillion, according to the company.
Megan O’Neill from the California Attorney General’s Office indicated in her opening remarks that Meta’s operations can be reduced to four main concepts articulated with the letter “H.” According to a report, these are: “Capture the user, hold him for as long as possible, collect his data, and then hide the truth.”
“Young people are particularly vulnerable. They’re the ones most likely to get hooked and the ones who can bring in money over time,” she noted.
Meta, which relies heavily on digital advertising for revenue, faces accusations of breaching federal law by harvesting children’s data without parental consent.
The states assert that essential features on Facebook and Instagram, like the “Like” button and specific algorithms, are intentionally addictive. They argue that this is contributing to a mental health crisis in teens, including issues like anxiety, depression, self-harm, and even suicide.
O’Neill referenced internal communications from Meta, highlighting a conversation where an employee likened Instagram to a “drug,” admitting, “We’re basically pushers.”
Prosecutors emphasized that Meta discovered the earlier children start using their app, the better it is for business: “The longer you get them to stay, the more likely they are to generate revenue for Meta.”
Alongside California, other significant states like Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey allege that Meta has misrepresented the safety risks associated with its platforms.
Meta’s legal team has vigorously denied wrongdoing, claiming that the state auditors are calling for penalties far beyond what the lawsuit entails.
In his opening statement, Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt argued that Zuckerberg and his team have undertaken numerous steps to enhance children’s safety on Facebook and Instagram, such as implementing parental monitoring tools and setting limits on screen time.
Schmidt also pointed out, “As this case unfolds, we’ll address critical topics like teen mental health and social media use,” asserting that Meta also bears some responsibility for these issues.
He acknowledged that sometimes Meta employees might use “loose” language in private discussions but insisted that jurors would learn about the concrete measures taken to protect children.
Leading up to the trial, Mr. Mehta issued a fierce response to the states’ claims, stating, “they have opted to ignore the facts and the law, instead pushing for excessive financial penalties.”
This trial is expected to span about six weeks, with both Zuckerberg and Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri anticipated to testify.
O’Neill stated before the trial that a more realistic damage figure if Meta loses is around $200 billion, suggesting that the $1.4 trillion figure was mentioned for dramatic effect.
State officials are also pushing for a court directive demanding that Meta remove data it gathered unlawfully from children under 13 and cease using algorithms derived from that data. They want to prevent Meta from utilizing certain addictive design elements, like infinite scrolling and autoplay features.
This case represents a significant challenge for the social media giant. Notably, the company faced a similar lawsuit in New Mexico, which resulted in a nearly $1 billion penalty, along with part of a $6 million ruling in California state court that determined its role in keeping a teenager, known as KGM, engaged with its app.
Outside the Auckland courthouse, critics of Mehta’s tactics, including families of victims, gathered to voice their objections as the trial began. Among them was Mary Roddy, who lost her 15-year-old son, Riley, to suicide in 2021 after he was a target of a sextortion scheme on Facebook.
“They label it as spontaneous suicide,” she said, “but I see it as a predictable result of a system that prioritizes profit over the safety of children.”
A jury will deliberate and provide an advisory verdict, but the final decision regarding any damages and potential changes to Meta’s practices will be determined by District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama.
with post wire
