29 states are suing Meta, claiming that Facebook illegally collects and uses children's private data.

Meta Platforms faces a major legal challenge as 29 U.S. states file lawsuits alleging the company illegally collects and uses children's private data, violating federal laws. The case will begin on Wednesday before a federal court in California, with the trial expected to last seven weeks. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, stems from a joint investigation involving multiple states examining the impact of Instagram and Facebook on young users. The probe was initiated after revelations about internal whistleblower Frances Haugen, who testified before Congress in 2021 that the company knew its products could harm youth and had failed to make them safer despite knowing this. The court will consider claims from Colorado, Kentucky, California, and New Jersey that Meta designed its platforms to keep young users engaged for longer periods and misled consumers about their safety. It will also examine allegations that Meta unlawfully collected and used children’s data, breaching federal law. According to Reuters, the lawsuit highlights concerns over how social media platforms influence behavior and privacy rights among minors. In preparation for the trial, state attorneys have emphasized the potential consequences of the case. Jennifer Davenport, the lead attorney for New Jersey, stated that “our children are not data points to be monetized.” She added that the lawsuit argues Meta continues to design its platforms to foster dependency among young users, despite knowing the risks. Public sentiment aligns with these concerns: a recent survey by Reuters and Ipsos found that 85% of Americans believe social media can cause addiction in children, while 61% think companies managing such platforms should face stricter oversight. This case is part of a broader wave of legal actions against tech giants, including Meta, Snapchat, Alphabet’s YouTube, and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. Over 3,000 lawsuits have been filed against these companies by school districts, individuals, and other plaintiffs, many of which are consolidated under the supervision of Judge Rogers. Another group of more than 3,300 lawsuits, primarily brought by individuals, is currently pending in a state court in Los Angeles. These cases collectively argue that the companies’ practices harm youth mental health and violate privacy protections. Legal experts warn that the outcome of this case could mark a turning point for Meta, especially following recent losses in other courts. Eric Goldman, a professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, noted that large damages and court orders dictating how certain features must function represent an existential threat to companies facing similar lawsuits. He emphasized that such rulings could force fundamental changes in how social media platforms operate. Meta has largely rejected the allegations, stating it works to protect children on its platforms. The company argues that it cannot be held responsible for creating addiction because “addiction to social media” is not officially recognized as a psychiatric disorder. However, critics counter that the company’s business model inherently prioritizes user engagement, often at the expense of well-being. Recent court decisions have already placed pressure on Meta. In June, a judge in New Mexico ruled against the company, ordering it to pay $567 million and implement changes to its platforms after finding it responsible for exacerbating mental health crises among children in the state. Similar outcomes in other jurisdictions suggest that the current case could set a precedent for future litigation. If Meta loses this case, the implications could be far-reaching. The proposed changes include enabling parental verification for underage users, altering recommendation algorithms to avoid fostering addictive behaviors, removing filters that alter appearances in photos, stopping automatic video playback, banning the creation of multiple accounts, and halting the disappearance of posts like Stories. These measures aim to reduce the time young users spend on the platforms and limit exposure to potentially harmful content. The ruling in New Mexico, which labeled Meta a public nuisance causing harmful effects on the community, underscores growing judicial scrutiny of tech companies. If upheld, similar changes could be mandated nationwide, significantly altering the user experience on Facebook and Instagram. Such reforms might also extend beyond the United States, influencing global regulatory approaches to social media governance. As the trial begins, all eyes are on whether Meta will be forced to fundamentally rethink its approach to child safety and user engagement. The stakes are high, both legally and socially, as the case could redefine the responsibilities of technology companies in protecting vulnerable users.