U.S. News

Zuck and Roll: Meta sued by 42 state AGs

By CM Chaney · October 25, 2023

A group of 42 attorneys general representing both political parties has filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, accusing it of creating addictive features that harm kids and teens.

The bipartisan effort aims to challenge Meta’s business practices, indicating a significant legal threat to the social media giant.

This lawsuit is one of several Meta is currently facing in various districts. Attorneys general from 33 states filed a federal suit in the Northern District of California, while nine others are filing in their own states, demonstrating the broad concern for protecting young users from online harm, according to CNBC.

“We have polarization the likes of which we have not seen since the Civil War,” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said of the collective action. “For all of the attorneys general from both parties to come together and move in the same direction, I think that says something.”

The legal action alleges that Meta deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to keep young users engaged through various features, including algorithms, notifications, and infinite scrolling. These practices, according to the attorneys general, negatively impact teens’ mental health by promoting social comparison and body image issues.

Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses Meta of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal data from users under 13 without parental consent. The states are seeking an end to these practices, as well as penalties and restitution.

The attorneys general argue that Meta was fully aware of the negative consequences of its designs.

“Meta’s own internal research documents show its awareness that its products harm young users,” New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office stated.

The legal action follows revelations by former Facebook employee Frances Haugen in 2021, who leaked internal documents revealing the company’s knowledge of the negative impact of its products on teens. Instagram, for example, was found to worsen body image issues for many teen girls.

While Meta expressed disappointment at the legal action, stating their commitment to teen safety online, the attorneys general believe it’s necessary to address the harmful practices in the industry as a whole.

Tennessee Attorney General Skrmetti suggested that the lawsuit could lead to industry-wide discussions about online safety standards. He emphasized that this isn’t just about Meta, but they’re leading with this lawsuit due to clear evidence of harm to young users.

The lawsuit underscores the bipartisan commitment to protecting kids’ safety online, aligning with President Joe Biden’s focus on this issue. It also marks a significant challenge to Meta, highlighting the growing concern about the impact of social media on the mental health of youth.