Meta is set to defend itself in a major social media trial beginning Tuesday in California, where a coalition of US states alleges that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to be addictive to children and violated state and federal laws.
The case was filed in 2023, with California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey selected to represent the states involved in the lawsuit.
The states are expected to argue that Meta prioritised user growth and engagement while failing to adequately address safety concerns affecting young users.
A major early development came when Meta attempted to prevent former employee and expert witness Arturo Bejar from testifying. Federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected the request, describing it as an effort to remove a strong witness for the plaintiffs.
Bejar has previously testified against Meta, including in a New Mexico case that the company lost. Lawyers representing the states are expected to question him about Meta’s approach to user safety, growth and what the company allegedly knew about potential risks.
Meta has also asked the court to limit testimony from another expert, Colin Gray, who is expected to discuss so-called “dark patterns” — design features that can influence users into making choices that benefit a company.
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is among the high-profile witnesses expected to appear during the trial.
The states are seeking approximately $200 billion in damages, according to their lawyers, while also demanding changes to how Meta operates its platforms. Meta has strongly rejected the allegations.
The trial is expected to last about six weeks, with a verdict potentially coming by early October.
The case is being closely watched because of its potential impact on the social media industry. Legal experts have compared it with the US government’s historic legal battles against tobacco companies, particularly because the case focuses not only on alleged harm but also on the companies’ business practices.
Source: AFP
