What just happened? If there's one company that's no stranger to the inside of a courtroom, it's Meta. The tech giant went to trial yesterday over claims it knowingly enabled predators on Facebook and Instagram to exploit young users. The addictive nature of its algorithms are also under the spotlight again.
The jury trial in Santa Fe, brought by the New Mexico attorney general's office, argues that Meta prioritized profits and a claimed commitment to freedom of expression over the safety of its young users.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez says evidence will show that Meta's platforms create dangerous environments for children, putting them at risk of sexual exploitation, solicitation, sextortion, and even human trafficking.
Meta's algorithms are also on trial. As we've seen in other cases, prosecutors say they enticed and addicted young people to social media.
In the state's opening statements, it said that Meta's top executives regularly contradicted its own internal discussions and research about the harm Facebook and Instagram posed to teens.
Prosecutors argue that by failing to disclose the harmful effects of its platforms, Meta is violating state consumer protection laws. The company is also accused of creating a public nuisance.
"Meta knowingly exposes children to the twin dangers of sexual exploitation and mental health harm," the lawsuit states. "Meta's motive for doing so is profit."
Meta denied accusations that it deceived anyone and said it regularly discloses potential risks on the service. It added that it has a longstanding commitment to supporting young people, highlighting its safety features that include content restrictions and giving teens information on who they're chatting with.
"For over a decade, we've listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most," the company said in a statement. "We're proud of the progress we've made."
Meta attorney Kevin Huff added that the risks it discloses happen because it can't always catch terms of service violations straight away.
Meta said the New Mexico attorney general made sensationalist, irrelevant and distracting arguments by cherrypicking select documents.
More than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta over claims that it deliberately designs its platforms to increase addiction among children.
Meta is facing a similar trial in Los Angeles over its liability toward young users. A 19-year-old Californian is suing several social media companies over claims that using them as a child led to her body dysmorphia, depression, and self-destructive thoughts. TikTok and Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. have already settled claims in the case.