Meta✴ faces lawsuits from the state of Florida and a coalition of 33 U.S. attorneys general accusing the company of deliberately designing features on Facebook✴ and Instagram✴ to be addictive to teenagers. The company’s attempt to dismiss the claims failed—a California federal court denied Meta✴’s motion.
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In two separate lawsuits filed last year, Meta✴ was accused of rolling out features that are addictive to minors and result in “their mental and physical harm.” Yesterday, Oakland-based U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers denied Meta✴’s motion to dismiss the claims, so prosecutors can now continue gathering more evidence and then proceed to trial.
Judge Rogers noted that despite Section 230 of the law, which grants online platforms immunity from civil liability for third-party content, the plaintiffs provided enough information to proceed with the case.
The prosecution alleges that Meta✴ violated federal and state laws, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the California False Advertising Law (FAL), and the California Unfair Competition Law (UCL). The States are seeking action against Meta✴’s alleged unfair business practices and imposition of civil penalties.
«This trial will help determine how social media companies can be held accountable and how these companies can treat our children for decades to come,” said Attorney General Bonta, who led the coalition of attorneys general. – Meta✴ can and should do better. Our children deserve to have their childhood back.”
A Meta✴ spokesperson said the company disagrees with the allegations because it has implemented tools and technologies to help teens manage their screen time and stay safe, including new “Teen Accounts” on Instagram✴.