Zuckerberg May Testify as Meta Faces US States’ $1.4tn Child-Safety Lawsuit

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg could testify in a federal trial in Oakland, California, where 29 US states accuse the company of designing Facebook and Instagram to keep children and teenagers online for excessive periods. The states allege that features such as infinite scrolling and engagement systems encouraged compulsive use. They also claim Meta downplayed the risks to young users and failed to protect underage accounts adequately. Meta denies the allegations and says it has introduced safety tools for younger users. The reported $1.4 trillion is not an imposed fine. It represents the potential damages sought by the states, with any final payment depending on the court’s decision. The case could also force Meta to change how its platforms are designed and accessed by minors. A former Meta engineer has testified that engagement and revenue were prioritised over child safety, an allegation Meta disputes. The trial is expected to last several weeks and could become a major test of Big Tech’s responsibility for young users.

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