Jury reaches verdict in blockbuster Meta, YouTube social media trial
A jury in Los Angeles determined Wednesday that: Meta And Google’s YouTube was negligent and failed to warn users about the dangers associated with using their platform, in a situation that could have repercussions on the social media landscape.
The personal injury trial began in L.A. Superior Court in late January. A young woman identified as KGM or Kaley claimed that she became addicted to apps such as Instagram and YouTube during her childhood. The talks started on Friday, March 13.
Jurors ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiff, who argued that Meta and YouTube’s negligence played a “substantial factor” in causing mental health-related harm. Compensatory damages were assessed at $3 million; 70 percent of this is Meta, the remaining 30 percent is left to YouTube. The next phase of the case, scheduled to begin shortly, will determine punitive damages.
Lawyers representing the plaintiff said in a statement after the decision, “Today’s decision is a historic moment for Kaley and the thousands of children and families who have been waiting for this day.” “She demonstrated extraordinary courage in bringing this case and telling her story in open court. A jury of Kaley’s peers heard the evidence, heard what Meta and YouTube knew and when they learned it, and held them accountable for their actions.”
“We respectfully disagree with the decision and are considering our legal options,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement. he said.
It’s one of several trials this year that experts have called the social media industry’s “Big Tobacco” moment, comparing it to the 1990s when tobacco companies were forced to pay billions of dollars for lying to the public about the safety and potential harms of their products.
On Tuesday, jurors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, found Meta knowingly violated the state’s unfair practices after Attorney General Raúl Torrez claimed the company failed to properly protect its apps from online predators targeting children. Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in damages based on the number of violations. The company said it would appeal the lawsuit.
The New Mexico case is separate from other social media cases that state attorneys general have filed against companies like Meta and TikTok.
During the six-week trial in Los Angeles, jurors were tasked with determining whether Meta and YouTube implemented certain design features in their apps, such as recommendation algorithms and autoplay, that contributed to FGM’s crippling, mental distress. The 20-year-old woman claimed she suffered from severe body dysmorphia, depression and suicidal thoughts due to her near-constant use of apps and constant notifications that made it difficult for her to stop.
Meta and YouTube denied the plaintiff’s allegations and said they took safety and health concerns seriously and had implemented features to minimize potential harm. Lawyers representing the tech giants claimed that KGM’s mental health issues stemmed from a tumultuous childhood and resulting family problems, and that he used these services as a way to cope with the trauma.
The court selected the plaintiff’s case as a bellwether to help determine decisions in similar and related cases throughout the state of California, called Judicial Council Coordination Cases. Although TikTok and explode They were initially part of the case, settled with the plaintiff before the trial began, and are still involved in other legal proceedings.
A federal trial is set to begin this summer in the Northern District of California, involving similar, consolidated claims from school districts and parents across the country. They allege that Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap apps are helping to inflict harmful mental health harm on young users.
A central legal strategy for prosecutors and plaintiffs’ attorneys is to focus on alleged design flaws with apps like Instagram and YouTube, rather than specific content, to counter tech companies’ claims that they should not be held liable for certain third-party content on their platforms because of Section 230, which regulates speech.
The Los Angeles lawsuit includes testimony from several top executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram president Adam Mosseri and YouTube vice president of engineering Cristos Goodrow.
Last month, Mosseri pushed back on the concept of social media addiction, calling it “problematic” use. Zuckerberg’s testimony the following week included a statement that the Facebook co-founder had once contacted him. Apple CEO Tim Cook will discuss the welfare of teenagers and children and the company’s decision-making around digital filters that promote plastic surgery and other issues.
goodrow in question He stated in his statement that YouTube was “not designed to maximize time.”
Lawyers representing both sides made their closing statements about two weeks ago.
—MS Now’s Jillian Frankel and CNBC’s Stephen Desaulniers contributed to this report.
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