A bipartisan coalition of 33 state attorneys general, led by Minnesota AG Keith Ellison, began trial against Meta Platforms, Inc., alleging the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Facebook and Instagram that drive children and teens to use the platforms compulsively, while falsely assuring parents and the public that its platforms were safe for young users. The states also allege Meta illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, violating COPPA. The trial opened before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, with the states seeking monetary penalties and injunctive relief.
The states are seeking monetary penalties and injunctive relief to hold Meta accountable, stop unlawful practices, and require the company to follow laws designed to protect children and consumers. Specific remedies will be determined by the court if the states prevail at trial.
In-house legal teams should review their vendor agreements and platform terms related to children's data collection and consent mechanisms. Specifically, they should examine: (1) any agreements with social media platforms or advertising partners that involve collecting data from minors, (2) consent management provisions to ensure compliance with COPPA's parental consent requirements, (3) terms of service that address addictive design or engagement optimization features, and (4) any indemnification clauses related to regulatory actions involving children's privacy. Companies should also review their data processing agreements to ensure they have appropriate safeguards for minor data and clear consent mechanisms in place.
Entity
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Industry
Social Media"the lawsuit that Attorney General Ellison and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general filed against Meta"
"illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without their parents' consent"
"in violation of the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act"
"August 19, 2026 (SAINT PAUL)"
"bipartisan coalition of attorneys general"
"deliberately designed its platforms to exploit young users' vulnerabilities, foster compulsive use"
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement marking the first day of trial in a multistate lawsuit against Meta, alleging the company knowingly designed addictive features on Facebook and Instagram that harm children's mental health. The coalition alleges Meta illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, violating COPPA, and seeks monetary penalties, restitution, and an injunction against deceptive practices.
A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general led by New Jersey, California, Colorado, and Kentucky is taking Meta Platforms, Inc. to trial, alleging that Meta designed addictive features on Instagram and Facebook that harm minors' mental health, illegally collected data from children under 13 without the required protections under COPPA, and misled users about platform safety. Opening arguments begin August 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. No monetary penalty or final remedy has yet been imposed.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced a court ruling denying Meta Platforms, Inc.'s motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit alleging Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to addict children and misled parents. The court allowed claims under COPPA and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to proceed to trial, scheduled for August 2026.
The Virginia Attorney General, as part of a multistate coalition, secured a court ruling allowing their case against Meta to proceed to trial. The case alleges that Meta designed and deployed harmful features on its platforms that addict children and teens, causing severe mental and physical detriment. The trial is scheduled for August.
A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general began trial against Meta Platforms, Inc., alleging the company knowingly designed addictive features on Facebook and Instagram that harm children and teens, deceived parents about platform safety, and illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without parental consent in violation of COPPA. The states seek monetary penalties, an injunction to stop unlawful practices, and other relief. The trial is being litigated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Bureau of Securities issued a public warning to state residents about fraudulent investment schemes proliferating on Meta-owned platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The alert details common scam tactics such as pump-and-dump schemes, confidence scams, and fraudulent cryptocurrency offerings, and provides tips for residents to avoid victimization. No enforcement action against any entity was announced in this release.