Meta Faces Landmark Trial Over Children’s Online Safety

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Oakland: Meta is facing one of its greatest legal obstacles yet, as a landmark US trial on child safety and privacy begins in California. Attorneys general from 29 states have accused the company of intentionally creating Facebook and Instagram to keep children addicted while misleading users about the risks and illegally gathering children's data.

The states want significant changes to how Meta operates its platforms, such as tougher age restrictions, the elimination of unlimited scrolling, and adjustments to algorithms trained on children's data. The case could potentially subject Meta to massive financial penalties, with the corporation anticipating potential losses of up to $1.4 trillion.

A decision against Meta could lead to alterations to elements that have long been vital to Facebook and Instagram, therefore the trial, which is anticipated to last several weeks, is being eagerly followed. It is anticipated that Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and CEO Mark Zuckerberg would appear.

Meta has rejected the allegations, saying it has invested heavily in protecting young users through measures such as Teen Accounts, age recognition technology and parental controls.

The case comes amid a broader wave of lawsuits aimed at social-media companies over alleged harms to children. Therefore, a significant decision against Meta might have far-reaching effects that could alter how the industry as a whole creates platforms for younger consumers.