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Meta Pushes Back, Plans Appeal

Company Denies Allegations

Meta signaled it will challenge the ruling, accusing Torrez of relying on selective evidence.

“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal,” a company spokesperson said, adding that Meta continues to invest heavily in safety tools and remains confident in its efforts to protect young users.

In taped depositions, CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri acknowledged that harms such as exploitation and mental health risks are difficult to eliminate entirely given the platforms’ scale. They emphasized billions spent on safety improvements, including Instagram Teen Accounts launched in 2024 with built-in protections for users aged 13 to 17.

Legal Battle Far From Over

Next Phase Could Reshape Platforms

The case now moves into a new phase beginning May 4, where the attorney general’s office will seek additional penalties and court-ordered changes to Meta’s platforms.

Proposed reforms include stricter age verification, stronger removal of predators, and limits on encrypted communications that could shield criminal activity.

Meta’s defense has leaned in part on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally protects platforms from liability for user-generated content. However, a judge rejected efforts to dismiss the case on those grounds in June 2024, ruling that the lawsuit targeted product design decisions rather than speech.

Ripple Effects Across the Tech Industry

Parallel Lawsuits and Mounting Pressure

The verdict could open the floodgates for further litigation. Meta is already facing a separate case in Los Angeles, where families and school districts accuse major platforms—including Snap Inc., TikTok, and YouTube—of designing addictive systems that harm young users.

While Snap and TikTok have reached settlements, Meta and YouTube continue to fight the claims. All companies deny wrongdoing, and a jury is currently deliberating in that case.

A Turning Point

Like a dam beginning to crack under pressure, the Meta $375M verdict may signal a broader shift in how courts—and society—hold tech giants accountable. Whether it sparks reform or ignites years of appeals, one thing is clear: the battle over responsibility in the digital age is far from settled.