Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Meta, States Discuss Settlement in Landmark Child Privacy Trial
Meta is being sued by 29 U.S. states over how its social media products affect children.
The states say Meta made its products especially engaging for children and collected their information.
They also say the company did not tell the public enough about these concerns.
Meta and the states are discussing whether to settle the case before the trial ends.
If Meta loses, the states could seek about $200 billion and require product changes.
Instagram leader Adam Mosseri testified about safety tools made for teenagers.
He said he promoted the tools without explaining that few people had used them in early tests.
Meta leader Mark Zuckerberg may also testify.
Meta is discussing a possible mid-trial settlement with attorneys general from multiple U.S. states, Bloomberg News reported.
A coalition of 29 states alleges Meta designed its products to hook children, collect their data and mislead the public.
The states could seek approximately $200 billion in penalties, along with changes to Meta’s products, if the company loses.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri acknowledged promoting teen safety tools without disclosing their low adoption during early testing.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was expected to testify as the trial entered its second week in Oakland, California.
- Who
- Meta Platforms and attorneys general from a coalition of 29 U.S. states, led in court by California, Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky.
- What
- A child privacy and consumer protection trial involving allegations that Meta harmed children, collected their data and misled the public, alongside settlement discussions.
- When
- The trial’s second week; settlement discussions were reported on Tuesday, with related announcements expected Wednesday.
- Where
- A courtroom in Oakland, California.
- Why
- The states allege that Meta deliberately designed its products to hook children, gathered their data and violated state and federal laws.
State Attorneys General
Meta
Product design and children
State Attorneys General
The states allege Meta deliberately designed its products to hook children and gather their data.
Meta
Meta is defending itself in court; the article does not provide the company’s detailed response to these allegations.
Safety tools
State Attorneys General
State witnesses testified that Meta knew some teen safety tools were ineffective and described them as designed to fail.
Meta
Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged promoting the tools without disclosing low adoption rates from early testing.
Possible resolution
State Attorneys General
The states could seek about $200 billion in penalties and product changes if Meta loses the case.
Meta
Meta and state attorneys general are discussing a possible settlement while the trial is underway.
- Defendant
- Meta Platforms Inc.
- States involved
- A coalition of 29 U.S. states
- Lead prosecutors
- California, Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky
- Potential penalties
- Around $200 billion, according to the report
- Court location
- Oakland, California
- Settlement status
- Meta and state attorneys general have discussed a possible mid-trial settlement; no settlement was confirmed in the report
- Key testimony
- Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged promoting teen safety tools without disclosing low early-test adoption rates