Judge Rules Meta Must Face Massachusetts Lawsuit Over Alleged Harmful Instagram Features

Massachusetts claims Meta designed Instagram features to addict young users, impacting their mental health.

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Peter Krupp rejected Meta's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act does not shield the company from claims about its business conduct.
The lawsuit, filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, alleges that Instagram's design features exploit teens' psychological vulnerabilities, contributing to mental health issues.
Meta argued that the lawsuit violated Section 230 and the First Amendment, but the court found these protections do not apply to Meta's own alleged false statements about platform safety.
The case is part of broader legal challenges against Meta, with over 30 states pursuing similar allegations in federal court.
Massachusetts' lawsuit highlights internal data showing potential harm to children, with claims that CEO Mark Zuckerberg dismissed proposed changes to improve user well-being.