Meta could be forced to change Instagram and Facebook forever

International

WHAT would Instagram look like without like counts, autoplay videos or disappearing Stories? Meta could be forced to find out if 30 US states succeed in a sweeping lawsuit over the company’s treatment of young users.

The trial, which begins Tuesday, stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by states including California and New York.

They alleged Meta violated federal and state privacy laws involving children and teenagers and are seeking more than $1 trillion, along with sweeping changes to Instagram and Facebook.

The states want Meta to introduce parental verification for teenage users, change its recommendation algorithms, remove many appearance-altering image filters, end video autoplay, prohibit multiple accounts and eliminate disappearing posts such as Instagram Stories. They are also seeking an end to “like” counts and infinite scroll.

The states argued that these features are designed to keep young people on Meta’s platforms for longer and make it harder for them to disengage. They accused the company of choosing to exploit young users to increase engagement, grow its user base and expand its business.

Meta has repeatedly denied the allegations.

“We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people,” a company spokeswoman said in a statement, quoted by the BBC.

The case will be heard by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, a chief federal judge in California who previously presided over the high-profile Elon Musk v Sam Altman trial.

The lawsuit follows a separate ruling against Meta in New Mexico, where Judge Bryan Biedscheid fined the company $942m and ordered changes including removing like counts for users under 18, restricting teenagers from sending or receiving nude images and limiting push notifications to certain hours.

Biedscheid also declared Meta a “public nuisance” and said its platforms had contributed to a broader youth mental health crisis. Meta has said it will appeal. The New Mexico order applies only to that state, while the 30-state case could affect a much larger portion of the country. The states involved represent nearly two-thirds of the US population.

Like counts are a particular focus. The states cite research, including Meta’s own internal findings, linking the metrics to “social comparison” — the process of judging one’s worth against others.

According to the states, Meta’s research also found that social comparison associated with Instagram was linked to increased loneliness, poorer body image and negative mood.

The states’ case points to more than 2 million documents Meta has handed over during the litigation. Its outcome could determine whether features that have defined Instagram and Facebook for years remain part of the experience for young users across the US.(MyTVCebu)