Meta trial could reshape popular apps, analysts say
By: Medora Lee
USA Today
..... The outcome of a landmark trial that began August 18 [2026] over claims that Meta Platforms designed its products in ways that harm children has the potential to reshape some of the world's most popular apps, analysts said.
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In the high-stake case unfolding in Meta's home state of California, 29 attorneys general joined in a unified lawsuit alleged Meta fostered addictive behavior in teens and children. Lawyers representing California, Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky will argue that the Facebook and Isnstragram parent must be held accountable for violating federal and state laws, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, and various consumer protection statues.
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Consequences are potentiality enormous, wit reports of Meta estimating penalties as high as $1.4 billion, near the company's market cap of 41.5 trillion. The attorneys general haven't specified what they are seeking in penalties but said at a hearing in mid-August [2026] that the amount could be closer to $200 billion.
..... "Nearly three years ago, we took action because we believed Meta was putting profits ahead of the health and safety of our kids. Now we are ready to present the evidence and make our case," Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement.
..... Separately, Meta is also defending itself in Tennessee against allegations that its Instagram platform harms the mental health of young users.
..... "Meta knew its platforms were hurting kids and made a very clear decision to choose money over the mental health of its young users," Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement. "Tennessee law protects kids form companies, big or small, that mislead and hurt them, and we will continue to aggressively enforce that law."
..... Meta has called the allegations in the California trial unsubstantiated and said it stands by tis work to protect teen users of its platforms.
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"We know parents worry about the safety of their teens Online," the company said in a statement. At Meta, we're consistently making changes to provide teens with safe, protected experiences, and being parents more peace of mind."
..... Meta pointed to establishing Teen Accounts with built-in protections that automatically limit who can contact teens younger that 16 and the content they see, as well as its sue of artificial intelligence to place people it suspects are teens into these protections, even if they say they're adults.
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But it admitted "technology is evolving rapidly, which means we will need to constantly adapt and strengthen our protections for teens, while listening and responding to concerns parents have."
..... Meta founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify during the miltiweek trial, as is Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
..... After losing a recent case in New Mexico that resulted in Meta being required to make some changes to its services and pay nearly $1 billion, a win for Meta may be less likely, analysis said.