Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s office has released a statement supporting a federal trial against Meta.
The couple’s statement backs a coalition of 29 U.S. states suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over alleged privacy violations and unsafe design features that could put children at risk.
“We stand with them,” the couple said as parents and advocates gathered outside the courthouse this week.
The statement said the federal trial against Meta had begun with an unprecedented bipartisan coalition of 29 state governments seeking accountability for privacy violations and design features that allegedly put young people at risk on Facebook and Instagram.
According to a lawyer representing the state attorneys general, Meta’s business model is not only contributing to the exploitation of young people’s data and attention but also depends on it. The statement said the allegations were supported by the company’s own internal research.
It added that the trial reinforced concerns raised by families and experts for years, arguing that the harm caused by Meta’s platforms resulted from financial decisions rather than accidental innovation.
The coalition includes 29 states led by both Republican and Democratic administrations, including Kentucky, New Jersey, Colorado and California. The attorneys general leading the case have challenged Meta’s business practices and the design of its technology.
The statement also referred to a recent case in New Mexico, in which a court ordered Meta to pay more than $942 million after finding that unsafe design features in its apps posed risks to young people’s mental health.
It said the current case focuses on how Meta allegedly made unsafe design and business decisions, adding that the lawsuits are part of a broader pattern rather than isolated incidents.
The statement also mentioned whistleblower testimony from Arturo Bejar, a father and former Meta employee, regarding what he described as the company’s approach to child safety. It also referred to internal documents about the addictive nature of Meta’s technology and accounts from parents who said social media had caused serious harm to their children.
Parents and advocates, including members of The Parents’ Network, have gathered outside the courthouse during the trial.
Harry and Meghan’s office said many families had waited years for the case to reach federal court and expressed support for those seeking accountability. It added that the outcome could have major implications for children in the United States and around the world.
