A federal judge denied Meta’s bid for summary judgment, allowing New Jersey and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general to move forward with claims over Facebook and Instagram’s impact on children.
Trenton, NJ – A federal judge has denied Meta Platforms‘ attempt to end a lawsuit brought by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general, clearing the case for trial later this summer.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to maximize profits by keeping children and teenagers engaged on its platforms while exposing them to harmful features that negatively affected their mental and physical health.
Court rejects Meta’s request
According to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California denied Meta’s motion for summary judgment, allowing the states’ claims to proceed.
The court also agreed with New Jersey’s position that Meta did not obtain parental consent in a manner sufficient to comply with the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which governs the online privacy of children under age 13.
“We are thrilled that a federal district court has ruled that our case against Meta will proceed to trial,” Davenport said. “For years, Meta has failed to protect kids on Facebook and Instagram, endangering their mental health while profiting at their expense.”
“Our office is proud to co-lead this case against Meta on behalf of a bipartisan coalition of state AGs, and we look forward to proving our case against Meta in court,” she added.
Trial scheduled for August
New Jersey filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging that Meta violated federal and state laws, including COPPA and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, by designing features that allegedly encouraged compulsive use among children and teens.
The case is scheduled for trial in August in Oakland, California. Jury selection is expected to begin on Aug. 12, with opening statements scheduled for Aug. 18.
Meta has denied the allegations in the litigation. The court’s ruling does not determine liability but allows the case to proceed to trial, where the claims will be considered on their merits.
Key Points
- A federal judge denied Meta’s motion for summary judgment, allowing a multistate lawsuit led by New Jersey to proceed.
- The lawsuit alleges Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children and violate federal privacy laws.
- Trial is scheduled to begin in August in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Related: Meta Platforms, Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey Attorney General, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, Facebook
Sources: New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.