In a significant legal showdown that highlights the growing concern over the role of social media in our lives, 42 attorneys general have come together to take on Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
Their target? The social media giant's addictive algorithms, which many argue have had a detrimental impact on children and teenagers. A federal lawsuit has been brought by 33 states, while nine additional AGs have filed individual lawsuits in their own states.
Meta’s algorithms have come under fire for fostering addiction-like behaviors, drawing in users and keeping them coming back for more. The federal lawsuit alleges that Meta was well aware of the negative impacts its configuration could have on young users. The collective lawsuit also alleges that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, by collecting personal data on users under 13 without parental consent.
Data from the CDC shows that suicide deaths hit a record high in 2022 as Americans continue to suffer through a mental health epidemic. Additionally, a leaked impact report from Instagram shows that “thirty-two percent of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse.”
“This is a tough time in America,” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said at a press conference after the suit was filed. “We have polarization the likes of which we have not seen since the Civil War. And so for all of the attorneys general from both parties, people who frequently disagree very vocally and very publicly, to all come together and to move in the same direction, I think that says something.”
A Meta spokesperson expressed disappointment that the AGs are taking legal action against the company, citing their shared commitment to providing a safe online experience for teens. The spokesperson also mentioned Meta's efforts to introduce tools for teen safety.
The united front against Facebook not only reflects the increasing scrutiny of Big Tech's influence over public behavior but also portrays the fierce power behind unified states. If the states are willing to unite on an issue like Big Tech, there’s undoubtedly a path to unification for the purpose of addressing federal government overreach with Article V.
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State power ignited as 42 AGs unite in suing Facebook for its addictive algorithms
Published in Blog on October 25, 2023 by Brianna Kraemer
