Meta is set to face a major federal trial on August 18 over allegations that Instagram and Facebook were deliberately designed to keep children engaged while collecting data from users under 13 without proper parental consent. The case involves 29 state attorneys general and could expose Meta to penalties of up to $1.4 trillion, according to the company’s own court filings.
The lawsuit traces back to a 2023 multistate case alleging that Meta knowingly used features that could encourage compulsive use among children and teenagers. California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey will present state-law claims at trial, while the broader coalition is also pursuing allegations under the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will oversee the proceedings in Oakland, California. An eight-person advisory jury will hear evidence and issue findings, but Rogers will ultimately decide the case and is not required to follow the jury’s conclusions.
States Want Changes to Core Platform Features
The states are seeking changes that could substantially alter how Instagram and Facebook work for younger users. Proposed remedies include stronger age and parental verification, removing infinite scrolling, restricting notifications, changing recommendation systems, setting usage limits, and deleting algorithms or AI models trained using children’s data.
The states argue that features designed to increase engagement also encouraged young users to stay on the platforms longer and return more frequently. Meta denies the allegations and maintains that it has invested extensively in protections for teenagers and children.
A June ruling already gave the states an important advantage. Rogers found that Meta had violated parts of COPPA by failing to provide adequate notice and obtain parental consent in some circumstances, while allowing additional claims over allegedly addictive design and misleading safety statements to proceed to trial.
New Mexico Ruling Adds Pressure on Meta
The federal trial follows a separate loss for Meta in New Mexico. Earlier this month, a state court ordered the company to pay a combined $942 million and impose new protections for younger users on Facebook and Instagram.
The New Mexico order includes stronger age verification, restrictions on push notifications during certain hours, limits on minors’ platform use, and additional controls around likes and potentially nude images. Judge Bryan Biedscheid also found Meta responsible for creating a public nuisance through the design and operation of its platforms.
Meta has said it will appeal that decision.
The upcoming federal case could have much broader consequences because the participating states represent a large share of the US population. If the states prevail and Rogers orders nationwide changes, Meta could be required to redesign several features that have long been central to Instagram and Facebook.
The trial is expected to last about six weeks, with Rogers likely to issue her decision after proceedings conclude.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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