Skip to content
WIRED·

🚨Meta Faces $940M Verdict in Social Media Case

Meta's Growth-at-All-Costs Ethos on Trial

TL;DR

Meta lost a landmark case in California, ordered to pay over $940 million for harmful design features. This could force changes in their growth-focused approach and algorithmic practices.

Meta was hit with a $940M verdict in a social media case in California, finding the company liable for harming young users through certain design features. If you're using Facebook or Instagram, this affects how these platforms will operate moving forward. The trial is presided over by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers and involves 29 state attorneys general claiming Meta violated COPPA law. The plaintiffs argue that Meta deliberately hooked kids on its apps to maximize growth.

Meta Faces $940M Verdict in Social Media Case — WIRED

Key Points

1

Meta was found liable in a federal civil trial in the Northern District of California over harmful social media design features.

2

$940 million is what Meta must pay as part of the verdict, ordered by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

3

29 state attorneys general are suing Meta for violating COPPA law and improperly collecting personal information from children under 13.

4

Facebook and Instagram are at the center of this case, with plaintiffs arguing that these apps deliberately hook kids to maximize growth.

5

$200 billion in damages is what the state AGs are seeking from Meta if they win their case.

Why It Matters

If you're using Facebook or Instagram, this could change how these platforms operate. The verdict suggests a shift away from the 'growth at all costs' ethos that has defined Meta's approach to user engagement and data collection. This could force small changes in algorithmic practices aimed at protecting younger users.

MetaFacebookInstagramCOPPASocial Media Law

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

If you're using Facebook or Instagram, this could change how these platforms operate. The verdict suggests a shift away from the 'growth at all costs' ethos that has defined Meta's approach to user engagement and data collection. This could force small changes in algorithmic practices aimed at protecting younger users.

What happened?

Meta lost a landmark case in California, ordered to pay over $940 million for harmful design features. This could force changes in their growth-focused approach and algorithmic practices.

Comments

Subscribe to join the conversation...

Be the first to comment

Enjoyed this article?

Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.

Join 3,301 builders reading daily.

Also get