Meta is gearing up for a consequential trial following two prior losses on child safety issues. The trial is set to start on Tuesday, overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers in Oakland, California. While an eight-person jury will provide input, the final decision lies with Judge Rogers. The trial is anticipated to span at least six weeks, with the possibility of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri testifying.
The lawsuit traces back three years when multiple states jointly filed in federal court, alleging that Meta, the owner of Facebook and other platforms, violated laws by collecting data from users under 13 without parental consent. The complaint further accused Meta of concealing the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms for young users, profiting through data collection and targeted advertising.
The trial’s initial phase includes four states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with potential trials for more states pending. Meta’s attempt to prevent a key witness, Arturo Béjar, from testifying was rejected by Judge Rogers last week. Béjar, a former Facebook director, highlighted the platform’s shortcomings in handling safety issues.
While the states have not disclosed their monetary damages claim, Meta has warned of potential financial repercussions up to $1.4 trillion in the trial. Meta disputes the allegations, emphasizing its dedication to youth safety and introducing new safety features on its platforms. The legal battle against Meta extends beyond the U.S., with ongoing litigation in Canada and other jurisdictions.