Around 40 US states sue Meta for profiteering from children’s pain

Around 40 US states sue Meta for profiteering from children’s pain

Web Desk
October 25, 2023

Around 40 US states sue Meta for profiteering from children’s pain

Around 40 US states sued Meta for profiteering from children’s pain.
Meta has engaged in deceptive and harmful practices for the sake of financial gain.
The legal actions stem from a nationwide investigation initiated in November 2021.

Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, is facing accusations from over 40 US states, with some filing in local courts and others joining a federal lawsuit.

The legal action alleges that Meta has engaged in deceptive and harmful practices for the sake of financial gain, particularly at the expense of vulnerable young users.

The joint lawsuit filed in a California federal court argues that Meta has repeatedly downplayed the substantial dangers associated with its Social Media Platforms while seeking to maximize its financial profits.

The legal complaint asserts that Meta has exploited young users through a business model designed to keep them engaged on the platform, even at the expense of their mental health.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who announced the lawsuit, stated that “Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem.”

The suit calls on the federal court to compel Meta to cease these manipulative tactics, impose substantial financial penalties, and provide restitution to affected parties.

Some states have already passed laws prohibiting social media platforms from allowing minors to use their services without parental consent.

Meta expressed disappointment and emphasized that the states should collaborate with social media companies to establish age-appropriate standards in response to the lawsuit.

The company stated that it has developed over 30 tools in its apps to support teenage users and make it easier for parents to shape their children’s online activity.

Meta also pointed out that it is disappointing for attorneys general to single out the company instead of pursuing industry-wide solutions, considering the popularity of competitors like TikTok, YouTube, and Snap.

The company argued that social media can serve as a place where young individuals facing various challenges in their lives find support and community.

The legal actions stem from a nationwide investigation initiated in November 2021, following whistleblower Frances Haugen’s leak of over 20,000 pages of internal documents, which led to criticism of Facebook (now Meta) prioritizing profit over user safety.

Haugen accused Facebook of failing to combat harmful content effectively during her testimony to American and European lawmakers.

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, defended the company, dismissing the notion that they deliberately promote content to incite anger for profit as “deeply illogical.”

To stay informed about current events, please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BOLUrduNews/.