Meta is facing 29 state attorneys general who accuse the company of designing features on Facebook and Instagram that could be addictive to children and teenagers.

Starting this Tuesday, Meta faces a federal trial in California that could force it to change how Facebook and Instagram operate and potentially result in damages of up to $1.4 trillion, according to EFE.

  • Why it matters: The outcome could affect how Meta designs and offers certain features to children and teenagers, while also becoming a key test for thousands of lawsuits against major technology platforms.

29 Attorneys General Accuse Meta Over Its Impact on Minors

ederal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers and an eight-person jury in Oakland will hear arguments from 29 state attorneys general who have taken Meta to court.

  • The accusation: Prosecutors also allege that Meta illegally collected information from children under 13, potentially violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, known as COPPA.
  • Another dispute: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey also accuse the company of violating consumer protection laws.

The states are not seeking only financial compensation. They also want changes to how the platforms operate, which could alter the experience for some younger users.

Meta $1.4 Trillion Lawsuit Comes Amid More Than 3,000 Plaintiffs

The case is part of a much larger multidistrict litigation involving more than 3,000 plaintiffs against Meta and other companies, including Google, TikTok, and Snap.

The lawsuits allege that the platforms were designed to maximize screen time and that some of their features could encourage addictive behaviors.

  • The key figure: According to EFE, this is the first case involving alleged COPPA violations within this litigation to reach a jury.
  • What’s at stake: The trial could provide an important test before a jury of the strength of some of the main allegations against Meta.

The trial is expected to last between four and six weeks. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri could be called to testify.

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Meta Rejects Allegations in $1.4 Trillion Lawsuit as “Baseless”

Meta denies causing the harm alleged by the attorneys general and considers the accusations “baseless,” according to a company spokesperson who spoke with ABC.

The company argues that prosecutors are attempting to hold it responsible for features it considers harmless and for issues affecting the entire industry, such as age verification.

  • The defense: Meta maintains that the states have not provided evidence showing that their residents were deceived.
  • What’s next: Over the coming weeks, the jury will hear the allegations against Meta, the company’s defense, and potential testimony from some of its top executives.

The outcome of the Meta $1.4 trillion lawsuit will determine whether the states’ claims succeed in this proceeding and how far the potential financial consequences and required changes to Facebook and Instagram could go.