Story perspectives

Four States Sue Meta Over Addictive Instagram, Seeking $200B

8/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Four U.S. states sued Meta for addictive Facebook and Instagram features targeting children.
The trial began in Oakland court on August 18, 2026.
States allege Meta violated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data on users under 13 without parental consent.
Plaintiffs seek $200 billion in damages and demand removal of infinite scroll and like counts.
Former engineer Arturo Béjar testified memos called teens a “drug” and staff “pushers.”

History

Historical Context

The FTC’s 2019 $5 billion settlement with Facebook over the Cambridge Analytica breach marked the first massive penalty for mishandling user data. Building on that precedent, Ireland’s data regulator fined Instagram €405 million in September 2022 for violating children’s privacy. Those actions frame today’s multi-state lawsuits across the U.S. accusing Meta of violating children’s privacy laws.

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Story summary

Four U.S. states sued Meta for addictive Facebook and Instagram features targeting children.
The trial began in Oakland court on August 18, 2026.
States allege Meta violated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data on users under 13 without parental consent.
Plaintiffs seek $200 billion in damages and demand removal of infinite scroll and like counts.
Former engineer Arturo Béjar testified memos called teens a “drug” and staff “pushers.”

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