Safety was an afterthought: Ex-Meta engineer's explosive testimony on Instagram and kids
· Technology · LiveMint, Economic Times, The Hindu
Former Meta engineering director Arturo Bejar testified in Oakland, California, that Instagram followed a "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy toward users under 13. He said the platform treated child safety as secondary to engagement and profit, citing features designed to encourage addiction and employee evaluations based on user metrics. The lawsuit also alleges Meta violated privacy laws by collecting data from minors without consent. Bejar warned that the case could bring penalties comparable to those faced by tobacco firms, a reference to Meta’s "tobacco moment". The testimony raises concerns for parents about underage use of Instagram and age‑verification failures.
Why it matters
The lawsuit may prompt tighter regulation of child data on social media, influencing how Indian parents monitor online safety and shaping global policy on child protection.
Read the original report — LiveMint
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