Meta faces trial over addictive design of Facebook and Instagram for minors

A trial against Meta began on August 18 in a federal court in California. Four US states, including California and New Jersey, accuse the company of making Facebook and Instagram addictive for children. Prosecutors say Meta broke consumer protection laws and a federal law that protects children's privacy online. They point to specific features like infinite scrolling, late-night notifications, and the "likes" system. These features were designed to keep young users on the apps as long as possible. States are asking for around 200 billion dollars in penalties. Meta's founder Mark Zuckerberg is expected to speak in court during the trial. Judges could announce a verdict in early October 2024.