SEATTLE — A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general began presenting its case against Meta as a trial opened in federal court, accusing the social media company of designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that encourage compulsive use among children and teens while misleading the public about safety.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown issued a statement at the start of the trial, saying, “People all over our state are concerned about social media, particularly its effects on children. We will continue to work to ensure social media companies like Meta are doing everything they’re required to do to protect our kids.”
The coalition’s lawsuit, filed in October 2023 after a multi-year nationwide investigation, alleges Meta knowingly designed and deployed harmful features that exploit young users’ vulnerabilities, foster compulsive use and maximize the time young people spend on Facebook and Instagram. The attorneys general also allege Meta knew about harms to young users but deceived users, parents and the public about the risks.
The lawsuit further alleges Meta illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Meta has repeatedly tried to prevent the case from reaching trial, according to the attorneys general.
In 2025, the court rejected Meta’s attempt to dismiss key parts of the case, allowing claims related to allegedly addictive platform design and Meta’s failure to warn young users and parents about known risks to move forward. After the court rejected Meta’s motion to rule in the company’s favor without a trial in June 2026, Meta asked the district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the trial. Both courts rejected that request.
The trial opened before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is expected to last six to eight weeks.
The states are asking the court to hold Meta accountable, stop unlawful practices, and require the company to follow laws designed to protect children and consumers. They are also seeking monetary penalties and other relief available under federal and state law.
