Facebook-parent company Meta will defend itself in a landmark social media trial that begins Tuesday in California, where attorneys have sparred over witnesses and financial penalties. A coalition of states sued Meta in 2023, and the four states now going to trial were selected to represent them.
Lawyers for the states will argue Meta deliberately made Facebook and Instagram addictive for children, in violation of state and federal laws. In recent days, Meta has tried to block ex-Meta employee and expert witness Arturo Bejar from testifying.
Federal Judge Yvonne Rogers however dismissed the company’s request, handing the states an early victory. In her ruling, she described it as a “Hail Mary” effort to “eliminate a strong witness” for the plaintiffs. Bejar has previously testified against the company, including in a New Mexico trial which Meta lost.
Lawyers for California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are expected to question Bejar about Meta’s practices around safety and growth, and whether the company publicly misrepresented what it knew, according to a court document.
In a new filing on Monday, Meta asked the judge to restrict the scope of testimony from another potential expert witness, Colin Gray, whom the states intend to ask about “dark patterns” — features designed to manipulate users into making choices preferred by a company.
During a hearing last week, a lawyer for the states said they are seeking around $200 billion, not penalties exceeding $1 trillion, as Meta had claimed in a court filing.
In addition to financial penalties, the states are demanding changes to Meta’s applications in the trial which is expected to last six weeks, and a verdict is expected by early October.
