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Executive Summary

California and 28 other US states are suing Meta for allegedly violating federal child privacy laws by collecting data on children under 13 without parental permission, and designing addictive products that harm young users. Prosecutors claim Meta "hooks, holds, harvests and hides" by keeping users on platforms to collect their data while concealing the truth from the public. If found liable, Meta could face up to $200 billion in damages and be forced to redesign its products to protect child...

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What Happened

California and 28 other US states filed a lawsuit against Meta that went to trial in Oakland, California in August 2026. Prosecutors allege Meta violated federal child privacy laws by collecting data on children under 13 without parental permission and designing addictive products that harm young users. The trial opened with testimony from former Meta employees and a psychologist, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri expected to testify later.

Who Is Affected

Children under the age of 13 who used Facebook and Instagram are the primary affected group, as prosecutors claim Meta illegally collected their data without parental consent. Users of all ages across Meta's platforms are also affected by the allegations concerning addictive design features intended to maximize time spent on the platforms. The lawsuit represents 29 US states, suggesting the impact spans multiple regions across the country.

Why It Matters

This is one of the largest legal challenges ever brought against a social media company, with potential damages up to $200 billion - equal to Meta's entire 2025 annual revenue. Beyond financial penalties, the states are seeking court orders that would force Meta to fundamentally redesign its products to protect children, which could set precedent for how social media platforms are regulated. The case directly challenges the core business model of keeping users engaged to collect data for advertising purposes.

What You Should Do

Parents should review their children's social media accounts and verify that children under 13 do not have active Facebook or Instagram accounts, as these violate Meta's stated policies. Users can request copies of the data Meta has collected on them through the platform's privacy settings and consider adjusting privacy controls to limit future data collection. Families concerned about addictive features should explore Meta's existing parental supervision tools and screen time management settings, while monitoring how the trial's outcome may lead to additional protective features.

Summary generated from verified sources and reviewed before publication. How we summarize.

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California and 28 other US states are suing Meta for allegedly violating... - Facebook | PrivacyWire