29 US states are suing Meta. What might it mean for the rest of the world?

This week, a trial commenced in the United States that could drastically change how Facebook and Instagram operate globally.

The trial in Oakland, which is expected to last six weeks, pits 29 US states against the two social media platforms’ owner, Meta. Four states – California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey – are running the jury case on behalf of the rest.

Their 233-page claim, filed in 2023, makes four key allegations, which paint a damning picture that Meta deliberately designed and monetised Instagram and Facebook to exploit the psychological vulnerabilities of children and teenagers. One of the states’ key witnesses is a former Meta safety engineer and whistleblower, Arturo Béjar.