Meta faces a trial led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta over allegations of harm to children and teens. Opening arguments in the case against Meta begin on Tuesday, as more states seek to compel the social media company to make design changes to Facebook and Instagram.
New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez told CNBC that a judgment could be ‘astronomical’, meaning Meta may have to implement significant changes.
The trial involves a coalition of 29 state attorneys general in a unified case against Meta, which was initiated in 2023, alleging that the company fostered addictive behavior in children and teens.
Meta has already lost a case in New Mexico, where a judge ordered the company to pay nearly $1 billion. A bad outcome in California could lead to much steeper penalties.
Avoiding Section 230
The specifics of the cases vary, but they all center on the alleged harmful design of apps like Facebook and Instagram. In New Mexico, Meta is required to improve ‘age assurance models and tools’ using AI.
If Meta is found guilty, the states want the company to delete all personal data related to children under 13.
