Prosecutors Seek $200 Billion Penalty Against Meta Over Child Addiction
· Technology · The Hindu, NDTV
A coalition of U.S. states is asking that Meta be penalized around $200 billion for deliberately designing Instagram and Facebook to be addictive to children. During a federal court trial in Oakland, California, prosecutors argued that Meta knowingly hooked young users and harvested their data while hiding safety risks. California prosecutor Megan O'Neill stated that Meta exploited how children's brains work to maximize engagement. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser noted that the litigation addresses public health concerns similar to landmark cases against tobacco companies. Meta's lawyer, Paul Schmidt, acknowledged that some users had negative experiences but argued the company introduced tools to help them.
Why it matters
The case could establish legal liability for major social media companies regarding child safety and data practices, potentially altering how platforms design features for young users.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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