A coalition of US states will seek $193 billion in damages from Meta when their child safety lawsuit opens with statements in Oakland on Monday, threatening the company with a record penalty and potential overhaul of Facebook and Instagram.
Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey will argue Meta violated online child privacy and safety laws in a trial expected to run through September. An eight-person advisory jury was seated Wednesday, though Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will render the final verdict. Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify as Meta defends itself over six weeks of hearings.
The case stems from a 2023 lawsuit by roughly 30 states. In a pretrial ruling, the judge rejected Meta's bid to block testimony from former employee Arturo Bejar.