Meta is gearing up for a significant trial starting Tuesday after losing two previous trials related to child safety this year. The trial, which began with jury selection in Oakland, California, will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers. Although an eight-person jury will provide a decision, the final outcome rests on Rogers alone.
This trial, anticipated to span at least six weeks, may see Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri called to give testimony. The lawsuit, originating nearly three years ago with multiple states filing jointly in California federal court, accuses Meta, which owns Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of unlawfully gathering data on users under 13 without parental consent.
The complaint, spanning 233 pages, alleges that Meta hides the harmful and addictive nature of its platforms from young users, while profiting from data collection and targeted advertising. The trial’s first phase involves four states: California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with more states potentially facing trials later. If Meta faces an adverse ruling in this trial, it could seek to avoid further costly litigation with other states.
Meta sought to prevent a key witness, Arturo Béjar, from testifying in the upcoming trial, but this bid was rejected by Judge Rogers. Béjar, a former Facebook director, previously testified about Facebook’s awareness of online harms to teens and Meta’s inadequate safety measures.
While the states haven’t specified a monetary damages amount, Meta indicated in a legal filing that it could face up to $1.4 trillion in financial penalties. The court will ultimately decide on any financial repercussions if Meta is found liable, but legal experts question the feasibility of such a high penalty, suggesting it could bankrupt the company.
Meta refutes the allegations and asserts its dedication to supporting young users, citing safety enhancements introduced since the lawsuit’s initiation. The company highlights its collaboration with experts and law enforcement to address critical issues. In light of past legal challenges and financial implications, Meta faces a complex legal landscape with ongoing trials and potential regulatory changes.