Meta faces US trial over child addiction claims

Meta is set to defend itself in federal court in Oakland, California, against allegations by four US states that it deliberately made Facebook and Instagram addictive for children.

Jury selection is due to begin on August 12, with opening statements expected on August 18. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey were selected to represent claims from a broader coalition of states that sued Meta in 2023.

The states are seeking changes to Meta's apps as well as financial penalties that could reach $1.4 trillion. Meta founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg is among the witnesses expected to testify.

Meta denies the allegations. A company spokesperson told AFP that Meta “strongly disagrees” and is confident the evidence will show its “longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Meta also said it is confident in its record of protecting teens online and will defend itself against claims it says misrepresent the facts.

Legal experts quoted by AFP compared the case to litigation against tobacco companies in the 1990s because it focuses on alleged addiction, business practices and what a company knew privately compared with what it disclosed publicly.

The trial comes amid wider litigation against social media companies. In May, Snap, TikTok, YouTube and Meta settled with a Kentucky school district for $27 million to avoid another trial, and a federal appeals court ruled on Monday that more than 3,000 additional lawsuits against Meta, Google, Snap and TikTok can proceed.