29 US States Sue Meta Over Alleged Harm to Minors
· World · Hindustan Times, Firstpost, Economic Times
A trial has commenced in Oakland, California, where 29 US states are suing Meta over allegations that it deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to exploit the psychological vulnerabilities of children and teenagers. The states argue that Meta engineered features like infinite scroll and vanity metrics to create compulsive engagement, while concealing internal research linking platform use to depression, anxiety, and self-harm. Meta’s legal team rejects these claims, asserting that the company has implemented tools to support users struggling with social media usage. If Meta loses the case, it could face fines reaching hundreds of billions of dollars and be forced to redesign its platforms globally.
Why it matters
The outcome of this trial could force Meta to fundamentally alter its product design and algorithms worldwide, setting a major legal precedent for how social media companies are held accountable for their impact on adolescent mental health.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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