1 week ago
Meta Teen Addiction Trial Brings Safety Tools and Settlement Talks
Instagram is facing a trial about whether its services can be harmful or addictive for teenagers.
Adam Mosseri, who leads Instagram, testified about tools designed to improve teen safety.
He said very few teenagers used one tool before Instagram turned it on automatically.
States argue that Instagram should have enabled the tool earlier.
Mosseri denied that the company intentionally delayed its rollout.
He also discussed leaked Meta documents that raised concerns about possible risks to children.
Meta and attorneys general from several states are now discussing a possible settlement.
Mosseri is expected to testify again on August 26.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri said few teenagers used a safety feature before it was enabled by default.
Mosseri denied that Instagram intentionally delayed rolling out the feature or that it sought to harm teenagers.
U.S. states argue the feature should have been enabled by default and introduced earlier.
The trial also examines claims linked to research and allegations raised by former Meta employee Frances Haugen.
Meta and attorneys general from several states are discussing a possible consumer-protection settlement.
- Who
- Instagram head Adam Mosseri, Meta, U.S. state attorneys general, and former Meta employee Frances Haugen.
- What
- A trial is examining allegations that Instagram contributes to teen addiction and whether Meta adequately addressed safety risks; settlement discussions are also underway.
- Where
- The case involves Meta and attorneys general from U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Nevada.
- When
- Mosseri is scheduled to provide more testimony on August 26; the settlement discussions were reported during the trial.
- Why
- States are challenging Meta’s alleged handling of teen safety tools and potential risks to children and teenagers.
State attorneys general
Meta and Instagram
When safety tools should be enabled
State attorneys general
The states argue that the safety feature should have been enabled by default and rolled out much earlier.
Meta and Instagram
Mosseri said few teenagers were using the feature on their own before Instagram made it automatic, and said the company moved forward despite limited teen demand.
Whether rollout was intentionally delayed
State attorneys general
The allegations imply that Instagram stalled the rollout of protections for teenagers.
Meta and Instagram
Mosseri denied that Instagram intentionally delayed the rollout.
Handling research about teen risks
State attorneys general
Haugen’s leaked documents were cited in allegations that Meta knew some products could harm children but failed to address the risks.
Meta and Instagram
Mosseri said he wanted safety research to be reliable and supported by experts before publication, and denied encouraging employees to hide potential risks.
Key facts
- Company
- Meta, Instagram’s parent company
- Key witness
- Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head
- Safety tool
- Mosseri said very few teens used the feature before it was enabled by default
- Earlier allegations
- Frances Haugen’s 2021 Facebook Files leak alleged that Meta knew some products could harm children
- States discussing settlement
- California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey
- Nevada announcement
- Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford’s office said it would announce a major consumer-protection settlement involving a leading technology company
- Next testimony
- Mosseri is expected to testify again on August 26
Quotes
Adam Mosseri
Head of Instagram and witness in the case
“Most teens didn't want it, We decided to push forward with it anyway.”
businesstoday.in
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford's office
Office of Nevada’s attorney general
“a major consumer protection settlement involving a leading technology company.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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