Meta is facing one of the most significant legal battles in its history after several US states filed a lawsuit related to the protection of minors on its platforms. The company maintains that, if the arguments presented by four of the plaintiffs are successful, the financial penalties could reach $1.4 billion, an amount it considers disproportionate.
The company explained that this estimate is based on the method used by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey to calculate potential fines. According to Meta, the amount is excessive and exceeds any precedent in this type of litigation.
Lawsuit against Meta over teen mental health
29 states are part of the legal process that accuses Meta of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The plaintiffs maintain that Facebook and Instagram collected data from minors without parental authorization and that both platforms incorporated mechanisms capable of encouraging compulsive use among teenagers.
Authorities also attribute to this alleged behavior consequences related to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and other mental health problems. Furthermore, California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are conducting parallel investigations into a suspected lack of transparency regarding the security risks of these apps.
Meta rejects the accusations and prepares its defense
Meta denies any wrongdoing and asserts that the states used a calculation system that counts the same teenage users multiple times to increase potential penalties. The company believes the measures sought exceed the legal scope of the case.
The trial in federal court in Oakland will begin on August 18. The company will arrive at this hearing after facing recent legal setbacks. In California, a court found it liable for promoting social media addiction in an individual case. In New Mexico, another jury concluded that the company failed to adequately protect minors from online sexual predators and provided misleading information about the safety of its services.
See also: How the Trump Account for minors works in the United States
Although the process could result in a substantial fine, several analysts believe that the final figure, in the event of a conviction, will likely be far below the $1.4 billion mentioned by Meta.
