Meta Faces Legal Battle in 29 US States Over Alleged Harm to Children.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a major legal challenge from 29 US states over allegations that its platforms were deliberately designed in ways that could harm children and teenagers.

The trial, which began in a federal court in Oakland, California, is examining Meta’s algorithms, product design, child-safety policies and handling of young users’ personal data.

The states allege that Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep young users engaged for longer periods while failing to adequately disclose potential risks. They also accuse Meta of improperly collecting and using children’s personal information.

The states are seeking up to $200 billion in damages, as well as changes to features such as infinite scrolling, notifications, personalised recommendations and other tools that encourage prolonged use.

Meta has denied the allegations, arguing that it has invested heavily in protecting teenagers and that the states have failed to establish a direct link between its platforms and the alleged harm.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the trial.

The case could have major implications for the global social media industry. A ruling against Meta could force the company to redesign some of its products and potentially encourage regulators in other countries to impose stricter rules on social media platforms.

Nigeria Also Watching Meta

The case has particular relevance to Nigeria, where Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp have millions of users.

Nigeria has previously taken regulatory action against Meta. In 2025, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld a $220 million penalty imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) against Meta and WhatsApp.

The Nigerian government has also directed the FCCPC to investigate Meta, Google, X and artificial intelligence companies over alleged anti-competitive practices and the use of Nigerian media content.

The US case could therefore strengthen calls for greater scrutiny of how social media companies protect children, handle personal data and design algorithms for users.

For Meta, the outcome could become a significant test of how much responsibility technology companies should bear for the effects of the platforms and algorithms they create.

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