Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified in a California courtroom, denying prosecutors' allegations that Meta hid negative information about a teen safety feature from the public.
Key facts
- Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified in a California courtroom on Tuesday.
- He is the first top Meta executive to testify in the lawsuit.
- The case was brought by 29 US states.
- Mosseri said: 'I am not trying to encourage my team to hide anything.'
Instagram’s chief executive, Adam Mosseri, took the stand in a California courtroom on Tuesday to dispute allegations that his company concealed negative information from the public, according to the Guardian.
Mosseri is the first senior executive from Meta, Instagram’s parent company, to testify in what the Guardian described as a blockbuster social media trial. His appearance marks a significant moment in a case that has drawn wide attention to the platform’s handling of teen safety.
The lawsuit has been brought by 29 US states, which have accused the company of hiding low use of a teen safety feature and withholding negative information from the public.
During his testimony, Mosseri directly addressed the accusations. “I am not trying to encourage my team to hide anything,” he told the court, according to the Guardian.
The Guardian reported that Mosseri disputed the allegations made by US prosecutors while giving his evidence. The outlet did not provide further details of the exchanges in the courtroom.
The trial centers on questions about how Meta communicated information regarding safety tools intended for teenage users, an issue at the heart of the states’ legal action.
Why it matters
The case pits Meta against 29 US states over how the company handled information about safety features aimed at teenagers, a group whose experiences online have become a major public concern. The testimony of a top executive like Mosseri could shape how regulators and the public view social media companies' accountability for young users' wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions
Who is testifying in the Meta trial?
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, who according to the Guardian is the first top executive from Meta to testify in the lawsuit.
Who brought the lawsuit against Meta?
The lawsuit was brought by 29 US states, according to the Guardian.
What did Mosseri say in court?
Mosseri denied the allegations, telling the California courtroom: 'I am not trying to encourage my team to hide anything.'