Story perspectives

Judge Allows Ex-Meta Tester Testimony in Kids Privacy Trial

8/21/2026

Summary

Zuckerberg Prioritizes Growth

Arturo Bejar testified that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg prioritized growth over child safety.
He said Meta built infinite scroll, like buttons, and algorithms to hook minors while harvesting under-13 data.
The lawsuit, filed by California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey and 25 other states, alleges Meta addictively designs apps for youths.
Judge Rogers called the projected $1.4 trillion fine estimate unreasonable.
Meta’s shares dropped roughly 4.5% to $543.67 after the trial began.

Summary

Meta Under Scrutiny

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers allowed former Meta employee Arturo Béjar to testify despite Meta’s objections.
The Oakland case proceeds under consumer-protection and children’s-privacy statutes, lowering the evidentiary burden for the states.
California Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill opened the case accusing Meta of concealing research on child harm.
New Mexico court ordered Meta to fund teen mental-health with $567 million.
A seven-week jury trial in Tennessee is examining Instagram’s design.

History

Historical Context

Congress enacted the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act in 1998 after earlier attempts—such as the Communications Decency Act (1997) and the Child Online Protection Act (1998)—were struck down by courts. The FTC’s $22.5 million fine against Google in 2019 showed enforcement, and today Meta faces multi-state lawsuits alleging similar COPPA violations.

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Zuckerberg Prioritizes Growth

Arturo Bejar testified that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg prioritized growth over child safety.
He said Meta built infinite scroll, like buttons, and algorithms to hook minors while harvesting under-13 data.
The lawsuit, filed by California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey and 25 other states, alleges Meta addictively designs apps for youths.
Judge Rogers called the projected $1.4 trillion fine estimate unreasonable.
Meta’s shares dropped roughly 4.5% to $543.67 after the trial began.

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