Meta Faces $1.4 Trillion State Suit in Oakland as Jury Selection Begins
Meta Platforms faces a seven-week federal trial in Oakland, California, starting August 18, 2026, where a coalition of 29 state attorneys general seeks up to $1.4 trillion in damages. The lawsuit alleges Meta’s apps, including Instagram and Facebook, used addictive features to harm youth and violated privacy laws by collecting data without parental consent. Meta has dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated and disproportionate, while California Attorney General Rob Bonta argues the company knowingly designed dangerous products for children. This trial follows recent legal losses, including a $567 million penalty in New Mexico and a $6 million verdict in Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment in ongoing youth-safety litigation.