Meta said California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are seeking US$1.4 trillion in penalties ahead of an August trial.

The case centers on claims that Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict young users and that Meta misled the public about their safety.

Meta said the figure reflects the four states’ method of multiplying alleged violations by penalties allowed under state law, and argued the amount is unsupported by the evidence.

A coalition of state attorneys general filed the broader federal case on October 24, 2023. The lawsuit alleges Meta used features such as infinite scroll and frequent alerts to keep children engaged, while misleading parents and users about platform safety.

The August trial will also cover claims from 29 states that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a US law protecting the privacy of  children under 13.

The states are also seeking relief to stop the alleged tactics, while claims from another 14 states will be heard separately in February.

🔗 Source: Reuters