Trial against Meta over Instagram and Facebook begins in Oakland

In Oakland, California, a high-profile trial against Meta—the company that owns Instagram and Facebook—begins on August 12, 2026. State prosecutors from four U.S. states allege the platforms deliberately foster addictive behaviour among minors and seek damages of up to $1.4 trillion (1.2 thousand billion euros), a sum roughly equal to Meta’s market value.

What the lawsuits claim

Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are asking a federal court to impose strict limits on features they say drive excessive use, such as endless scrolling and frequent notifications. In addition to monetary penalties, the states say Meta could be forced to alter or disable some functions on Facebook and Instagram.

The proceedings start with jury selection at 8:30 a.m. local time (17:30 Central European Time). Jury members will serve in an advisory role. The trial is expected to last about six weeks and, according to court schedules, should open for evidence the following Tuesday; a verdict is anticipated in early October.

Meta has repeatedly denied the allegations. The company said it is confident the evidence will show its long-standing commitment to supporting young people and added: "We have listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement agencies and conducted in-depth investigations to understand key issues." Meta also argues that the charge of deceiving consumers about potential harms is unfounded because "social media addiction" is not a recognized mental disorder.

The legal action was propelled in part by testimony from former employee Frances Haugen, who in 2021 told a Senate committee that the company, driven by profit, knowingly refrained from improving protections for young users. New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport stressed the stakes in a statement tied to the trial: "Meta knows that its platforms harm children and young people, but continues to do everything to keep them addicted. Our children are not data to be monetized."

Public pressure on social media operators has risen since Haugen's disclosures. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published last week found 85 percent of Americans believe social networks can be addictive for children, and 61 percent support tighter oversight of those platforms.

Photo: press material from the event