Overview
- The 19-year-old plaintiff, identified as K.G.M., alleges that addictive design features and recommendation systems fostered early dependence that contributed to depression and suicidal thoughts.
- Plaintiff counsel says the case will move forward against Meta and YouTube, while TikTok remains accused in other personal-injury suits despite resolving this one.
- Meta maintains its products did not cause the plaintiff’s harm, YouTube argues its service is fundamentally different from apps like Instagram or TikTok, and both cite youth safety measures.
- Snap settled on January 20, removing CEO Evan Spiegel from testimony, while Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to take the stand during a six-to-eight-week trial.
- Jurors will weigh negligence and causation in this first case to reach trial, a proceeding that legal observers say could influence Section 230 arguments and thousands of related claims.