Instagram chief Adam Mosseri is set to face tough questions in a US court as Mark Zuckerberg-owned Meta comes under fresh scrutiny over allegations that its social media platforms were designed to keep children hooked. Mosseri is expected to testify in a major trial involving 29 US states, which have accused the company of putting user engagement ahead of children’s safety.
According to Reuters, Mosseri is a key witness in the case, with the trial taking place in a federal court in Oakland, California.
Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — have accused Meta of designing its platforms to keep young users engaged while allegedly failing to do enough to protect their safety. The states have linked their claims to issues including anxiety, depression and suicide.
Reuters reported that all 29 states have also accused Meta of violating federal law by improperly collecting and using personal information belonging to children under the age of 13.
The states could seek nearly $200 billion in civil penalties if Meta is found liable.
The social media giant, however, has rejected the allegations.
The social platform has argued that it did not design its platforms with the intention of getting children addicted for profit. The Zuckerberg-owned company has also said that its research has not found a clear link between social media use and poor wellbeing among teenagers.
Mosseri’s testimony was confirmed by the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
“The trial is expected to continue through much of September. Jurors are expected to provide an advisory verdict, while US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately decide whether Meta is liable and what penalties or changes may be required,” said Reuters.
This is not Mosseri’s first appearance in a case involving child safety and social media. In February, he testified in a Los Angeles trial involving Meta and Google.
A jury later ordered the companies to pay $6 million to a 20-year-old woman who said she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child.
Mosseri has previously defended Instagram’s approach to safety, saying the platform’s products and policies continue to evolve.
With inputs from Reuters
