29 States Allege Meta Violated Children's Privacy Laws in Landmark Case

Attorneys general from 29 US states filed a case against Meta, alleging that the company deliberately designed its platforms to be addictive to children, concealed evidence of harm, and violated children’s privacy laws. The case, which began on August 18, is part of a landmark $18 billion settlement unfolding in California. The states are seeking fundamental changes to how Meta operates its platforms, including restrictions on age, algorithms, and infinite scrolling features.

The case is significant because the states themselves are acting as plaintiffs, asserting that a technology company’s business model can create social harm serious enough to warrant collective state intervention. This regulatory action targets the core business model of Meta, potentially forcing fundamental changes to its products and operations.

States are filing lawsuits regarding children's access to social media platforms, coinciding with increased market competition.