Meta, after losing two trials on child safety issues earlier this year, is now heading into what could be its most critical trial starting Tuesday.
Last week, in Oakland, Calif., jury selection took place for the federal trial to be presided over by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers. While an eight-person jury will provide input, the final decision rests with Judge Rogers alone.
The trial is anticipated to span at least six weeks, potentially involving testimonies from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
The lawsuit originated almost three years ago when multiple states, representing both U.S. political parties, jointly filed a lawsuit in California federal court against Meta. The complaint alleged that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, was unlawfully gathering data on users under 13 without parental consent, engaging in deceptive practices to hide the addictive nature of its platforms for young users, and profiting from targeted advertising.
The trial’s initial phase includes four states – California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Depending on the outcome, other states might follow suit, although a negative verdict for Meta could lead the company to seek resolution to avoid further legal battles.
Meta faces the possibility of significant financial penalties, with the company estimating potential damages up to $1.4 trillion in the trial. However, legal experts believe this amount is unlikely due to Meta’s financial constraints.
In response to the allegations, Meta maintains its innocence and asserts its ongoing efforts to safeguard young users, highlighting new safety measures introduced since the lawsuit’s inception.
Despite these challenges, Meta continues to face legal battles in other states, including ongoing litigation in Tennessee and Canada over similar allegations of harm to young users.