A group of 42 state attorneys general have teamed up to sue Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over allegations that its social media platforms are designed to be addictive and target young users. The bipartisan support of state law enforcers signals a major legal challenge for Meta, as the attorneys general from states with differing political backgrounds have come together to take action.
Led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the group includes attorneys general from 33 states that have filed a federal lawsuit against Meta in the Northern District of California. Additionally, nine more attorneys general are filing individual suits in their respective states. Some of the states involved in the federal suit include California, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin.
At a press conference announcing the lawsuit, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti remarked, “This is a tough time in America. We have polarization the likes of which we have not seen since the Civil War. And so for all of the attorneys general from both parties, people who frequently disagree very vocally and very publicly, to all come together and to move in the same direction, I think that says something.”
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also spoke at the press conference, stating, “This is not an action we take lightly. This is not a case that we know is going to be decided very quickly. But it’s of the utmost importance.” He also noted the dedicated resources and cooperation among state agencies working on the case.
The attorneys general allege that Meta intentionally designed its Facebook and Instagram products to keep young users on the platforms for longer periods of time, using features such as infinite scrolling, notifications, and alerts to keep them engaged. They also accuse the company of including features that could negatively impact teens’ mental health, such as “likes” and photo filters that promote social comparison and body dysmorphia.
According to the federal complaint, Meta also violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal data from users under 13 without parental consent. The attorneys general are seeking an end to these harmful practices, as well as penalties and restitution for affected users.
The attorneys general argue that Meta was well aware of the harmful effects of its platforms, citing leaked internal documents from former Facebook employee Frances Haugen. The documents revealed that the company’s internal research showed the negative impacts of its products, including how Instagram made 32% of teenage girls feel worse about their bodies.
In a statement, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said that the company is committed to providing teens with safe and positive experiences online, adding that they have already introduced over 30 tools to support teens and their families. However, the company expressed disappointment with the attorneys general’s decision to take legal action rather than working collaboratively with other companies in the industry.
This lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal challenges for Meta, as last year, 48 state and territorial attorneys general sued the company over antitrust concerns. With the broad, bipartisan support for this suit, it is clear that protecting children’s online safety and well-being is a top priority for law enforcement agencies across the country.