Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified in defence of Meta as the company faces a trial brought by four states that allege it designed Facebook and Instagram to hook children and misled the public about the risks, according to NPR.
Key facts
- Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, testified in defence of Meta, according to NPR.
- Four states are suing the social media company.
- The states allege Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to hook children.
- The suit claims Meta lied to the public about the risks to young users.
- Meta is the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, testified in defence of Meta during a trial focused on child safety, according to NPR. His appearance places one of the company’s most prominent executives at the centre of a closely watched legal fight over how social media platforms affect young users.
The case centres on claims brought by four states, which allege that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to hook children. According to NPR, the states also contend that the company lied to the public about the risks its platforms posed to young people.
Meta is the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram. The lawsuit targets the design choices behind those platforms and how the company communicated potential harms to the public, according to NPR.
NPR reported that Mosseri appeared in defence of the company as it responds to the states’ allegations. Meta’s specific responses to the claims were not detailed in the available reporting.
The core dispute, as described by NPR, is whether Meta knowingly built addictive features while downplaying the associated risks. The outcome of the trial and the full arguments from both sides were not yet known at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
The trial addresses whether a major social media company can be held accountable for how its platforms affect children, a question at the heart of the states' allegations against Meta.
Frequently asked questions
Who is testifying in the Meta child safety trial?
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, testified in defense of Meta, according to NPR.
What are the states alleging against Meta?
According to NPR, four states allege that Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to hook children and lied to the public about the risks.
Which platforms are involved in the case?
The lawsuit concerns Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta.