Overview
- A three‑judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed more than 2,400 to 3,300 consolidated federal and state cases to continue, a decision issued on Monday that denies tech firms an immediate pause.
- The court said Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act can be raised as a defense at trial but does not give platforms blanket immunity from being sued at this stage.
- A high‑profile multistate trial centralized in Oakland before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is set to begin with jury selection this week and opening statements expected the week of August 18.
- Earlier bellwether outcomes that found Meta and Google liable have produced a $6 million Los Angeles jury award and New Mexico rulings ordering $375 million plus an additional $567 million and youth‑safety measures, all under appeal.
- Plaintiffs seek monetary penalties and operational limits on features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and notifications, a push that could reshape platform design, affect school districts that say they bear costs, and influence global regulation.