Overview
- U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers denied Meta’s motion to dismiss on June 30, allowing state claims of deception and unfair business practices over alleged design choices that targeted young users to proceed to trial.
- The court granted summary judgment to the states on Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act notice and parental-consent rules, finding Meta did not meet COPPA’s requirements for protecting children under 13.
- The decision sends the case into broad discovery that can compel production of internal research, product notes, and communications about features like infinite scroll, autoplay, notifications, and recommendation algorithms.
- A federal trial is scheduled with jury selection beginning August 12 and opening statements on August 18 in Oakland, while related California state bellwether suits have produced recent settlements by TikTok and YouTube and leave Meta and Snap facing a late‑July trial in Los Angeles.
- Earlier 2026 verdicts, including a March $375 million award against Meta, increase the pressure on platforms and could produce changes to product design, regulatory scrutiny, and potential settlements that directly affect how young people experience social apps.