Dozens of States Sue Meta, Saying It Knowingly Exploited Minors for Profit

Dozens of state attorneys general sued Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging the social media giant knowingly implemented harmful features and unlawfully misled the public about the safety of its platforms. 

The Details: The main lawsuit, joined by 33 states and filed in California, argues that Meta “has profoundly altered the psychological and social realities of a generation of young Americans.” A press release from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office said that while “Meta has publicly denied and downplayed these harmful effects,” its “own internal research documents show its awareness that its products harm young users.” Eight other states and Washington, D.C. filed separate similar complaints against Meta.

Meta’s Response: “We’re disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the attorneys general have chosen this path,” Meta said in a statement.

How the Media Covered It: Headlines often gave different numbers for how many states sued Meta; some said 41, 42, 33, “dozens,” or omitted the number entirely. Coverage was generally similar across the spectrum, but right-rated outlets appeared to cover the story less frequently on Tuesday afternoon.