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3w ago

Bellwether Trial Opens in Oakland Over Claims Meta Designed Facebook and Instagram to Hook Children

The outcome, which could force platform design changes, will set legal limits on how social media is built.

Parents hold pictures of their deceased children during a protest against social media platforms outside the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Arturo Bejar, a former Facebook safety engineer and Instagram consultant, is questioned by states' lawyer Jason Slothouber before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in a courtroom sketch as Meta faces a landmark federal trial over claims from 29 states that it improperly captured data from minors, designed its social media platforms to addict children, and misled the public about their safety, in Oakland, California, U.S., August 18, 2026. REUTERS/Vicki Behringer. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. NO USE ABC, BBC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, FOX, NBC and all the broadcast TV local Bay Area affiliates.
Arturo Bejar, a former Facebook safety engineer and Instagram consultant, is questioned by states' lawyer Jason Slothouber before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in a courtroom sketch as Meta faces a landmark federal trial over claims from 29 states that it improperly captured data from minors, designed its social media platforms to addict children, and misled the public about their safety, in Oakland, California, U.S., August 18, 2026. REUTERS/Vicki Behringer. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. NO USE ABC, BBC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, FOX, NBC and all the broadcast TV local Bay Area affiliates.
People hold pictures of children and young adults whose deaths were related to social media use, as Meta faces a landmark trial in federal court over claims from 29 states that the company illegally collected and used children's data in violation of federal law, allegedly designed its social media platforms to keep young users hooked and misled consumers about their safety, in Oakland, California, U.S., August 18, 2026. REUTERS/Manuel Orbegozo

Overview

  • Opening arguments began Tuesday in a federal trial led by California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey on behalf of 29 states accusing Meta of designing features to increase youth engagement and hide risks.
  • Prosecutors presented internal documents and called former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar to testify that the company prioritized rapid product rollout over child safety.
  • The states charge violations of COPPA and state consumer‑protection laws and seek structural orders such as deleting under‑13 data, removing features like infinite scroll and limiting teen accounts.
  • Meta rejects intentional wrongdoing, disputes a clear causal link between its products and adolescent harm, and warned in filings about a theoretical exposure up to $1.4 trillion while states have framed a roughly $200 billion estimate.
  • An eight‑member advisory jury will give a recommendation but Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide liability and remedies, a ruling that could reshape platform design, regulatory scrutiny, and protections for young users.