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Supreme Court Denies Meta Appeal, Vermont Suit Advances

5/27/2026

Summary

Supreme Court Rejects Meta

U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta Platforms Inc.’s appeal to block Vermont lawsuit alleging the platforms harmed young users.
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark filed suit in 2023 after the state’s highest court permitted it.
Meta’s internal study reported 13.5% of girls said Instagram worsened suicidal thoughts and 17% said it worsened eating disorders.
Charity Clark praised the ruling as showing companies in Vermont can be held accountable for harming kids.

Summary

Meta Faces $375M

A March jury in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $375 million for misleading users on safety and enabling sexual exploitation.
In April, Massachusetts’ highest court required Meta to face a youth-addiction lawsuit.
The Vermont ruling may shape the TikTok case, where Judge Timothy B. Tomasi stayed the suit pending appeal, which the state seeks to lift.
NetChoice filed an amicus brief supporting Meta’s Supreme Court petition on March 20, 2026.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 Congress passed COPPA, effective April 21 2000, to require parental consent for data on children under 13. The FTC has repeatedly enforced it, notably fining YouTube $170 million in 2019 and Epic Games $275 million in 2022. The Supreme Court’s March 2026 denial of Meta’s appeal follows Vermont AG Charity Clark’s 2023 suit, signaling renewed pressure on tech firms to redesign algorithms for youth safety.

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Supreme Court Rejects Meta

U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta Platforms Inc.’s appeal to block Vermont lawsuit alleging the platforms harmed young users.
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark filed suit in 2023 after the state’s highest court permitted it.
Meta’s internal study reported 13.5% of girls said Instagram worsened suicidal thoughts and 17% said it worsened eating disorders.
Charity Clark praised the ruling as showing companies in Vermont can be held accountable for harming kids.

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