Home / Technology / Meta, Snap Face Jury in Landmark Social Media Trial
Meta, Snap Face Jury in Landmark Social Media Trial
28 Oct
Summary
- Jury selection begins Wednesday in Los Angeles for a trial involving Meta and Snap.
- Previous bellwether cases saw Meta and YouTube found liable for harming a young user.
- Star witnesses expected include CEOs Mark Zuckerberg and Evan Spiegel.
Jury selection is set to commence on Wednesday in Los Angeles for a pivotal trial concerning the alleged detrimental effects of social media on young individuals, with Meta and Snap as defendants.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed nationwide, accusing social media companies of causing harm to children and teenagers. Earlier this year, a jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a bellwether case, ordering them to pay $6 million. Snap and TikTok had settled with the plaintiff in that case prior to the trial.
Meta and Snap are now facing a consolidated trial involving two plaintiffs, SJ and KDB. While Meta settled with SJ, a settlement was not reached with KDB. Lawyers for the plaintiffs intend to argue that their clients developed compulsive social media use leading to mental health issues and self-harm, starting at ages 13 and 15 respectively.
Expected to testify mid-November are prominent industry leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel. These proceedings occur as regulators globally consider restrictions on teen social media use, while American lawsuits focus on addictive design and deceptive practices.
