Meta Platforms and attorneys general from several U.S. states have discussed a possible settlement in a federal trial accusing the company of deliberately making Facebook and Instagram addictive to young users, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.
The talks come as the trial continues in California, where 29 states are challenging Meta over alleged violations of consumer protection and children’s privacy laws.
The case is one of the most closely watched legal battles over the impact of social media on children and teenagers.
A federal appeals court declined to halt the trial shortly before jury selection began on August 12.
Several state attorneys general also announced plans for media briefings late Tuesday.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford’s office said it would announce a “major consumer protection settlement involving a leading technology company,” although it was not immediately clear whether the announcement was related to Meta.
Meta and the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.
The lawsuit is part of a wider legal campaign accusing Meta and other social media companies of designing their platforms to encourage excessive use among young people.
The proceedings have drawn attention to testimony from former Meta engineering director Arturo Béjar, who has raised concerns about the impact of Instagram on teenagers and what he said the company knew about problems affecting young users.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also faced questioning over the company’s approach to youth safety and allegations that growth and engagement were prioritised over protecting children.
The states allege that Meta violated the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal information from children without the required parental notification or consent.
They also allege that the company used information collected from young users in connection with machine-learning and generative AI models.
Meta has denied the allegations and says it has worked to protect children on its platforms.
See also: Brazil Regulator Fines TikTok Owner $29.8 Million Over Teen Data
The company has argued that it could not have misled consumers by failing to disclose that its services were addictive because “social media addiction” is not a recognised psychiatric condition.
The potential settlement talks come as Meta faces mounting legal pressure over youth safety. Other social media companies, including TikTok and Snap, have also settled related litigation, while courts and juries have increasingly been asked to examine whether the design of social media platforms contributes to harm among young users.
A settlement in the federal case could involve financial penalties or changes to Meta’s practices, although no agreement has been confirmed.
For now, the trial continues, with the outcome potentially setting an important precedent for how U.S. authorities regulate social media companies and protect children online.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
