Mark Zuckerbergs Meta could face astronomical damages as historic teen mental health case heads to trial | Latest Tech News
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta faces the likelihood of paying “astronomical” damages as opening arguments in the landmark trial accusing the tech giant of fueling a teen mental health disaster get underway in California federal court on Tuesday.
The Instagram mum or dad claims it could face $1.4 trillion in damages – almost the dimensions of its whole market cap – based on how a coalition of state attorneys common argue that penalties ought to be calculated. The states say a more sensible determine if Meta loses the case can be a still-unprecedented $200 billion in damages.
Nonetheless, New Mexico attorney common Raul Torrez, who not too long ago gained a $567 million judgement against Meta in a separate state trial that made related claims, said Wall Street is underestimating the likelihood of an major court loss for Zuckerberg in his home state of California.
“You could wake up with a headline judgment that is, as I’ve said, astronomical,” Torrez told CNBC in an interview revealed Monday.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks during the company’s Connect developer convention on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Menlo Park, Calif. AP Photo/Nic Coury
Meta is defending against a coalition of 29 state attorneys common who declare that Meta illegally collected and used youngsters’ data in a case first introduced in 2023. The states additional allege that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for teenagers through options such as the “like” button and suggestion algorithms, which brought on a wave of anxiety, depression, self-harm and even suicide.
The AGs of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey also allege that Meta misled the public about security dangers related with its apps.
“Meta designed a dangerous product for young users, knew it to be dangerous, and then lied to children, families, and the community about how dangerous it was,” California AG Gob Bonta said in a assertion last week. “We are ready to hold Meta accountable for its role in fueling the mental health crisis of American children and look forward to trial. It seems Meta very much does not.”
While a jury will hear arguments and render an advisory verdict in the case, it is going to be up to District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to make a ultimate determination on particular damages and potential adjustments to how Meta does business.
Aside from financial penalties, the state AGs need to pressure Meta to delete any illegally harvested data from youngsters under age 13 and stop utilizing algorithms educated on that data. They also need a court order barring Meta from utilizing “certain addictive design feature” including infinite scroll and autoplay options.
Critics say Meta faces a “Big Tobacco” second. diy13 – stock.adobe.com
Both Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri could both be called to the witness stand.
Another probably key witness is Arturo Bejar, a former Meta security researcher who delivered bombshell testimony accusing the company of exposing his teen daughter to “predators” during an look at the New Mexico trial in February.
Attorneys for Meta, which has strenuously denied wrongdoing, will argue that the state AGs are in search of damages that go far past the precise scope of their case – and that they’ve offered no evidence that the company’s apps trigger real-world hurt.
“The AGs offer no proof anyone in their states was misled, claim benign features like having an additional Instagram account somehow harmed their residents, and attempt to penalize Meta for industry-wide challenges like age verification,” a Meta spokesperson said in a assertion.
“Rather than sticking to the facts or the law, the states have instead decided to chase an outlandish payout,” the spokesperson added. “We stand by our record of creating strong protections for teens, and look forward to making our case in court.”
Mark Zuckerberg could be called to testify at the trial. AFP via Getty Images
The state AGs’ case in California federal court is just the latest legal battle in what critics have hailed as a “Big Tobacco” second for the social media industry.
Aside from its loss in New Mexico, Meta and Google had been ordered to pay a mixed $6 million in damages after being held liable in California state court for fueling social media dependancy for a 20-year-old lady recognized as “KGM.”
Meta and other social media companies face hundreds of pending lawsuits across the nation, with many of them concentrated in California’s state and federal courts.
With Post wires
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