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Opening arguments begin in 29-state Meta trial over alleged child harm
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Meta faces opening arguments in a California-led trial with 29 state attorneys general over alleged harms to children and teens.
A loss could force Meta to redesign core algorithms and age-assurance tools, directly affecting how engineers build and maintain Facebook and Instagram. The case also tests whether states can bypass Section 230 to hold platforms liable for design choices, a precedent that would reshape moderation and safety engineering across the industry.
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Opening arguments begin Tuesday in a California-led trial with 29 state attorneys general over alleged harms to children and teens.
The case follows a New Mexico ruling that ordered Meta to pay nearly $1 billion and make design changes, which Meta plans to appeal.
The trial could force Meta to make fundamental alterations to key algorithms and age-assurance tools, affecting how Facebook and Instagram are built.
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The trial opening in California marks a critical escalation in the legal pressure on Meta. Unlike the New Mexico case, which involved a single state, this case is co-led by California's attorney general and backed by 29 states. The jury is already seated, and opening arguments begin Tuesday. The stakes are higher because California's regulatory reach and influence extend globally, as noted by legal experts. A loss here could have consequences far beyond the state's borders.
The New Mexico ruling provides a blueprint for what Meta might face. The court there ordered the company to implement AI-based age assurance models, develop a prediction model for under-13 users, and create reporting portals for schools. These are concrete engineering tasks that would require significant changes to how Facebook and Instagram handle user age and safety. If California imposes similar or broader requirements, engineers will need to build and deploy these features across the platforms.
The financial stakes are enormous. Meta derives 98% of its revenue from online advertising, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is funding an AI bet that could cost up to $145 billion this year. A large judgment or forced redesign could divert resources from that effort. New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez described the potential consequences as 'astronomical,' especially if the same arguments are applied to larger states. The trial's outcome could reshape Meta's product roadmap and engineering priorities.
The case's focus on design features and alleged misrepresentations is a deliberate strategy to avoid Section 230 protections. By arguing that Meta's algorithms and app design cause harm, states can hold the company liable for its own conduct rather than for user-generated content. However, this approach may not extend to other platforms or may face legal challenges. The trial's result will set a precedent for how states can regulate social media design, but its applicability to other companies remains uncertain.
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