San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, August 10, 2026 —

OAKLAND, CA – Jury selection commenced this week in Oakland for a significant federal trial involving Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The proceedings are centered on allegations brought forth by four state attorneys general, including California’s top legal official.

The states contend that Meta intentionally designed its social media platforms, specifically Facebook and Instagram, to foster addiction. Central to the lawsuit are claims that the company deliberately targeted children with its products and provided misleading information to the public regarding the inherent risks associated with extensive social media use.

During the trial, the attorneys general are expected to seek substantial remedies. These include demands for civil penalties and the disgorgement of profits derived from underage users. The potential financial ramifications for Meta could be immense, with estimates suggesting the sought-after penalties and profits could amount to as much as $1.4 trillion.

Beyond financial penalties, the plaintiffs are also seeking injunctive relief. The states aim to compel Meta to implement significant redesigns of its platforms. The proposed changes are intended to reduce the addictive features that they allege are embedded within Facebook and Instagram, thereby mitigating harm to users, particularly minors.

The commencement of jury selection marks a critical phase in the legal battle, signaling the transition from pretrial proceedings to the examination of evidence and arguments before a jury. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for social media companies and their practices concerning user engagement and child safety.



Story summarized from the original created by Keith Mizuguchi on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.

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