Meta Platforms will face a coalition of state attorneys general today in a federal court in California.
The case involves allegations that the company designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children, potentially exposing the Big Tech company to multibillion-dollar damages, estimated at US$1.4 trillion, and forcing it to make major changes to its platforms.
The trial, which will be held in Oakland and is expected to last seven weeks, will test allegations by Colorado, Kentucky, California and New Jersey that Meta designed its platforms to keep young users hooked and misled consumers about their safety.
The trial will also address claims by 29 states, including the four mentioned above, that the company illegally collected and used minors’ data, violating federal law.