On Oct. 24, in a nationwide action led by Colorado, 42 attorneys general throughout the country sued Meta in federal and state courts alleging the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict children and teens, according to a press release from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
The attorneys general asserted Meta’s business practices violate state consumer protection laws and the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
“The deceptive and unfair practices used by Meta have deeply harmed our youth,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in a press release. “We must address the insidious impact the compulsive use of Meta’s platforms has had on our young generation. Just like Big Tobacco and vaping companies have done in years past, Meta chose to maximize its profits at the expense of public health, specifically harming the health of the youngest among us. We will work tirelessly to hold the company accountable for the harm it has and continues to inflict.”
The federal complaint, joined by 33 states and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges Meta knew of the harmful impact of its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, on young people. The complaint further alleges Meta knew young users, including those under 13, were active on the platforms and knowingly collected data from these users without parental consent.
The federal complaint seeks injunctive and monetary relief.
In parallel complaints filed in state courts Oct. 24, eight states have made similar allegations. These lawsuits are the result of a bipartisan, nationwide investigation led by Weiser and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, the press release continued. While some states have pursued litigation in state court and others in collective federal action, the attorneys general will continue to work together as the litigation continues, the press release added.
Filing lawsuits in their own state courts are the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont, according to the press release.
The multistate coalition is also investigating TikTok’s conduct on a similar set of concerns. That investigation remains ongoing, the press release said.