A coalition of states suing Meta Platforms over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that harmed young users’ mental health began making its case on Tuesday in California federal court in a trial that could reshape some of the most popular apps on the planet.
\n\nLawyers for California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, which are leading a bipartisan group of 29 states, will give their opening statements before an eight-person jury in Oakland, California.
\n\nJurors are expected to issue an advisory verdict, but U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will determine Meta’s liability. If she finds Meta liable, Rogers could impose civil penalties and order changes to Facebook and Instagram.
\n\nThe trial will address claims by the four states that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to addict young children and teenagers, resulting in such harms as anxiety, depression and even suicide, and misled consumers about the platforms’ safety.
\n\nIt will also address claims by all 29 states that Meta violated federal law by improperly collecting and using personal data of children while they used its platforms.
\n\nLawyers for Meta are expected to tell the jury that the company has made a huge effort to keep kids safe online.
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business