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Meta social media addiction trial

One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.

14 DAYS
79 FACTS
11 EVENTS
9 SOURCES
FIRST ENTRY AUG 17
AUG 30 · Day 14

Overview Analyzes Meta's New Teen Account Safety Restrictions

An independent auditor will evaluate Meta's compliance with the agreement and report to participating states.

Meta will implement a default two-hour daily limit across Facebook and Instagram combined for teen accounts.

A judge approved a child-safety settlement agreement involving Meta on August 27.

“ Because teens move fluidly across dozens of apps, we need an industry-wide solution.”
C.J. MAHONEY verbatim
AUG 30 · Day 14

Analysis of Legal Strategies Against Meta and Social Media Companies

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is leading a child-sexual exploitation lawsuit against Snap.

Meta agreed to pay almost $17 billion in a settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general.

The lawsuit against Meta was filed in 2023 and accused the company of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and various consumer protection statutes.

“gives notice to others in the industry that we're not done, and we expect similar outcomes from them as well.”
ROB BONTA verbatim
AUG 26 · Day 10

Meta settles social media addiction case with California and other states for $16.7 billion

Meta estimated potential penalties in the case could have reached $1.4 trillion.

The settlement was announced on August 26, 2026, in an Oakland, California federal courtroom.

Meta said the settlement payment will be distributed in annual installments over a 10-year period.

AUG 25 · Day 9

Instagram chief Mosseri testifies in social media addiction trial

Adam Mosseri was responding to questioning from trial attorney Jason Slothouber with the Colorado Attorney General's office.

Opening arguments started last week in the landmark trial against Meta.

Mosseri's testimony will continue on Wednesday.

AUG 22 · Day 6

Profile of US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers Presiding Over Meta Case

Gonzalez Rogers joined Cooley in 1991 as the law firm's first Latina associate.

Epic Games bypassed Apple's payment system and 30% commission in 2020 by enabling its own payment option inside Fortnite.

Elon Musk filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Sam Altman, OpenAI, and Greg Brockman.

“civil penalties, restitution and distortion,”
ROB BONTA verbatim
AUG 21 · Day 5

CNBC Analyzes Legal Risks Facing Social Media Engagement Features in Meta Antitrust Trial

Alibaba's net income dropped 75% for the June quarter due to an AI spending spree.

California's deputy attorney general, Megan O'Neill, stated during opening statements that Meta chooses profit over safety, conceals under-13 users on its platforms, and operates on a business model designed to hook users, hold them, harvest data, and hide the truth.

In March, a Los Angeles social media addiction trial found Meta and YouTube negligent after a plaintiff claimed their apps caused her severe body dysmorphia, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

“That's not possible. In an ideal world, they would all commit to the same reforms and changes to all kids and keep them safe.”
ROB BONTA verbatim
AUG 17 · Day 1

Meta social media addiction trial begins

A New Mexico state court earlier this month ordered Meta to pay $567 million and to overhaul teen protections on Facebook and Instagram

A March ruling ordered Meta to pay $375 million for violating state law, bringing the company's total liability in that case to nearly $942 million

The trial is expected to last four to six weeks, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify

“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. Rather than sticking to the facts or the law, the states have instead decided to chase an outlandish payout,”
FEB 19 · Day -178

Judge scolds Zuckerberg's team for wearing Meta glasses to social media trial

FEB 17 · Day -180

Mark Zuckerberg faces social media addiction trial

FEB 09 · Day -188

Instagram and YouTube owners built 'addiction machines', trial told

OCT 24 · Day -1027

Dozens of US states sue Meta over social media addiction harm to children

Quote copied with attribution