Meta is fighting one of its biggest legal battles yet as 29 US states accuse the company of designing Facebook and Instagram to keep children and teenagers hooked.
The case began this week in a federal court in Oakland, California, with California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey leading the states’ case.
The states say Meta deliberately built features such as endless scrolling, recommendations and notifications to keep young users spending more time on its platforms. They also accuse the company of misleading the public about safety and improperly collecting personal information from children under 13.
Meta strongly denies the allegations. Its lawyers argue that the company has spent years improving safety for young users and that the states have not proved that Facebook and Instagram cause the harm they describe.
A Former Meta Engineer Takes the Stand
The case took a more personal turn when former Meta engineer Arturo Béjar returned to the witness stand on Wednesday.
Béjar worked at Meta for years and later returned as a consultant focused on young people’s experiences on Instagram. He told the court that he raised concerns with senior executives about harm affecting young users, including anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
He also argued that Meta’s internal systems focused too much on whether users encountered content that broke company rules and not enough on the actual harm those users experienced.
Béjar has become a key witness for the states, but Meta disputes his account and previously tried to block his testimony. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected that effort.
Meta Could Face Huge Consequences
The states want more than financial penalties. They are also seeking major changes to Facebook and Instagram, including stronger protections for children and restrictions on features they say encourage excessive use.
The potential financial consequences are enormous. Meta has said the states’ calculations could expose it to penalties of up to $1.4 trillion, although attorneys general have indicated that the figure could be closer to $200 billion.
The trial is expected to last about six weeks, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are expected to testify.
For Meta, the stakes go far beyond the money. A ruling against the company could force major changes to the way Facebook and Instagram operate, especially when it comes to young users.