29 US states are suing Meta. What might it mean for the rest of the world?

This week, a trial commenced in the United States that could drastically change how Facebook and Instagram operate globally.

The trial in Oakland, which is expected to last six weeks, pits 29 US states against the two social media platforms’ owner, Meta.

Four states – California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey – are running the jury case on behalf of the rest.

Their 233-page claim , filed in 2023, makes four key allegations, which paint a damning picture that Meta deliberately designed and monetised Instagram and Facebook to exploit the psychological vulnerabilities of children and teenagers.

One of the states’ key witnesses is a former Meta safety engineer and whistleblower, Arturo Béjar.

Meta strongly rejects the allegations at the centre of the case.

During his opening remarks , Paul Schmidt, a lead attorney for the company, said: There can be no dispute that Meta has both recognised that people can struggle with their use of social media and tried to come up with tools to help them.

If Meta loses the case – as happened in similar recent cases in California and New Mexico – the company could face fines that run into the hundreds of billions of dollars.

It may also be forced to redesign Facebook and Instagram – and not just for US users.

The four key claims The first claim against Meta involves exploitative and addictive product design.

The states argue Meta engineered core platform features on Facebook and Instagram to stimulate compulsive engagement and intermittent dopamine loops – similar to what happens when playing poker machines.

The features in question include algorithms driving infinite scroll, autoplay, persistent push alerts, visual image filters that induce body dysmorphia, and vanity metrics, better known as “likes”.

Internal documents cited in the lawsuit allege Meta studied adolescent brain development (including aspects such as lower impulse control and high reward sensitivity) and tailored its products to maximise the length of time users spent on platforms.

The states’ second claim is that Meta concealed internal research showing Instagram use was linked to increased depression, anxiety, body image issues and self-harm among teens.