Meta faces trial over social media addiction

Meta is facing a federal trial in Oakland, California as dozens of states allege its social media apps cause addiction and harm teens. The trial begins Tuesday and centers on claims that the company deliberately designed features to keep users engaged, violating consumer protection laws. The case stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by 29 states, which followed a multi-state investigation into Meta’s safety practices that officials said found serious harm to children.

States Accuse Meta of Violating Privacy Laws

The lawsuit alleges that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data from children under 13 who used Instagram and Facebook. The states claim Meta knew these users were underage but still gathered information without parental consent. During the trial, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will hear arguments from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, which accuse Meta of misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms.

Meta’s lawyers argued that the states have not provided evidence that users were misled or harmed by specific features, such as having multiple accounts. The company also defended its record on teen safety and said it looks forward to presenting its case in court. While Meta believes the states’ claims are unsubstantiated and their financial demands are disproportionate, it remains focused on the legal arguments rather than the potential costs.

The financial stakes in the case are significant, with Meta estimating the states could seek up to $1.4 trillion in penalties. The company called that figure “outlandish,” while Judge Rogers reportedly labeled it unreasonable. The judge also took issue with Meta’s much lower estimate of $4 million, leaving the potential penalties in a gray area that could have a major impact on the company’s bottom line.

Jury to Serve in Advisory Role

An eight-member jury has been selected for the trial, which is expected to last around six weeks. Unlike a standard jury trial, this jury will serve in an “advisory” role, meaning Judge Rogers will have the final say on the verdict and penalties. Opening arguments begin Tuesday, August 18, and the trial could feature testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri.

Both executives have testified in other high-profile cases this year, with Zuckerberg previously stating that Instagram is meant to be “useful,” not addictive. Meta faces thousands of other lawsuits accusing it of harming users, and this case could set a precedent for how courts handle similar claims. Juries in Los Angeles and New Mexico have already ruled against the company in similar trials, though Meta plans to appeal those decisions.

A loss in this case could result in a major financial hit and make it easier for other lawsuits to move forward. The company’s legal costs have been rising, with it spending $2.4 billion on legal expenses in the second quarter of 2026 alone. This specific trial might determine how other similar claims are handled by the courts.