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"There is very little chance that FB is required to be broken up, as we expect the FTC to lose the case."

"If the FTC is successful, Meta may be forced to divest two of its largest brands."

"If Meta is found guilty of violating antitrust laws, it could be forced to divest its subsidiaries or restructure the business."

The antitrust lawsuit against Facebook "could force it to sell off Instagram and WhatsApp."

"Meta could be forced to sell off IG and WhatsApp if the FTC wins the trial."

"Mark Zuckerberg might have to kiss Instagram and WhatsApp goodbye."

Will Meta Be Broken Up?

Opening arguments began Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, in a lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general against Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over allegations the company designed addictive platforms that harmed children's mental health.

Opening arguments began Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, in a lawsuit brought by 29 state attorneys general against Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over allegations the company designed addictive platforms that harmed children's mental health.

Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are leading the trial and seeking damages that Meta says could total as much as $1.4 trillion, a figure nearly equal to the company's market valuation. Meta disputed the calculation of damages.

Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are leading the trial and seeking damages that Meta says could total as much as $1.4 trillion, a figure nearly equal to the company's market valuation. Meta disputed the calculation of damages.

The states allege Meta collected data on children under 13 without parental consent in violation of federal law, arguing in court that 20% of American 11-year-olds use Instagram. Meta says they proactively remove underage accounts and that all platforms struggle with age-gating.

The states allege Meta collected data on children under 13 without parental consent in violation of federal law, arguing in court that 20% of American 11-year-olds use Instagram. Meta says they proactively remove underage accounts and that all platforms struggle with age-gating.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the trial, which is set to last six to eight weeks. An eight-person jury will serve in an advisory role, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers holding final authority over the verdict and damages.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the trial, which is set to last six to eight weeks. An eight-person jury will serve in an advisory role, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers holding final authority over the verdict and damages.

The federal trial follows two prior court losses for Meta this year. A New Mexico jury ordered the company to pay $375 million, while a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $6 million in damages to a plaintiff who alleged the platforms harmed her mental health.

The federal trial follows two prior court losses for Meta this year. A New Mexico jury ordered the company to pay $375 million, while a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $6 million in damages to a plaintiff who alleged the platforms harmed her mental health.

Meta's chief legal officer said the company plans to "aggressively" appeal recent verdicts, while states have drawn comparisons to tobacco litigation of the 1990s. California Deputy Attorney General Megan O'Neill cited an internal Meta document she said referred to young users as "the best ones."

Meta's chief legal officer said the company plans to "aggressively" appeal recent verdicts, while states have drawn comparisons to tobacco litigation of the 1990s. California Deputy Attorney General Megan O'Neill cited an internal Meta document she said referred to young users as "the best ones."

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Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are leading the trial and seeking damages that Meta says could total as much as $1.4 trillion, a figure nearly equal to the company's market valuation. Legal experts have questioned whether damages could reach that level.

Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are leading the trial and seeking damages that Meta says could total as much as $1.4 trillion, a figure nearly equal to the company's market valuation. Legal experts have questioned whether damages could reach that level.

The states allege Meta collected data on children under 13 without parental consent in violation of federal law, arguing in court that 20% of American 11-year-olds use Meta platforms. Meta argues all social media companies face challenges identifying underage users.

The states allege Meta collected data on children under 13 without parental consent in violation of federal law, arguing in court that 20% of American 11-year-olds use Meta platforms. Meta argues all social media companies face challenges identifying underage users.

The federal trial follows two prior court losses for Meta this year. A New Mexico jury ordered the company to pay a total of $375 million, while a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $6 million in damages to a plaintiff who alleged the platforms harmed her mental health.

The federal trial follows two prior court losses for Meta this year. A New Mexico jury ordered the company to pay a total of $375 million, while a Los Angeles jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay $6 million in damages to a plaintiff who alleged the platforms harmed her mental health.

Meta knowingly designed Facebook and Instagram to hook kids, sacrificing their sleep, school performance and mental health just to rack up ad revenue. The evidence is clear — Meta knew its platforms were harming young users and lied to parents about the risks anyway. Holding Meta accountable isn't just the right thing to do, it's the only way to stop a tech giant from profiting off a generation's suffering.

Meta knowingly designed Facebook and Instagram to hook kids, sacrificing their sleep, school performance and mental health just to rack up ad revenue. The evidence is clear — Meta knew its platforms were harming young users and lied to parents about the risks anyway. Holding Meta accountable isn't just the right thing to do, it's the only way to stop a tech giant from profiting off a generation's suffering.

Office of the Attorney General of California

Meta's claims are unsubstantiated, the proposed $1.4 trillion penalty is outlandish, and the states offer zero proof anyone was actually misled. Features like having a second Instagram account aren't harmful design — they're industry-standard tools that rivals like TikTok and YouTube use too. Punishing Meta alone for challenges that exist across the entire social media industry isn't justice, it's a politically motivated cash grab.

Meta's claims are unsubstantiated, the proposed $1.4 trillion penalty is outlandish, and the states offer zero proof anyone was actually misled. Features like having a second Instagram account aren't harmful design — they're industry-standard tools that rivals like TikTok and YouTube use too. Punishing Meta alone for challenges that exist across the entire social media industry isn't justice, it's a politically motivated cash grab.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

Meta and YouTube Lose Landmark Social-Media Addiction Trial

Meta to go on trial over social media addiction and child privacy claims

United States of America

Lawsuits

Product liability

Privacy

Children and youth

Meta knowingly designed Facebook and Instagram to hook kids, sacrificing their sleep, school performance and mental health just to rack up revenue. The evidence is clear: Meta knew its platforms were harming young users and lied about the risks anyway. Holding Meta accountable is the only way to stop a tech giant from profiting off a generation's suffering.

Meta knowingly designed Facebook and Instagram to hook kids, sacrificing their sleep, school performance and mental health just to rack up revenue. The evidence is clear: Meta knew its platforms were harming young users and lied about the risks anyway. Holding Meta accountable is the only way to stop a tech giant from profiting off a generation's suffering.

The states are engaging in a smear campaign against Meta. Addiction is a clinical term that doesn't apply to social media habits, however harmful, and studies are inconclusive on the effects of long-term use amongst adolescents, confounded by preexisting mental health conditions and family structure. This case is not founded upon evidence.

The states are engaging in a smear campaign against Meta. Addiction is a clinical term that doesn't apply to social media habits, however harmful, and studies are inconclusive on the effects of long-term use amongst adolescents, confounded by preexisting mental health conditions and family structure. This case is not founded upon evidence.

There is a 20% chance that Meta will report 1 billion active users by the end of 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 20% chance that Meta will report 1 billion active users by the end of 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

29 States Sue Meta Over Kids' Mental Health Harm

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29 States Sue Meta Over Kids' Mental Health Harm

29 States Sue Meta Over Kids' Mental Health Harm

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29 States Sue Meta Over Kids' Mental Health Harm

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