Massachusetts Court Rules Meta Must Face Youth Addiction Lawsuit
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that Meta Platforms must face a lawsuit filed by the state attorney general, which alleges the company deliberately designed social media features to addict young users. This landmark decision marks the first time a state high court has determined that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act does not shield internet companies from claims regarding their own conduct in designing addictive platforms, as opposed to user-generated content. The court unanimously agreed that the lawsuit targets Meta’s business practices and alleged misleading statements about safety, rather than liability for third-party posts. This ruling occurs amidst a broader legal crackdown, with 34 other states pursuing similar cases against Meta in federal court. It follows recent significant jury verdicts in Los Angeles and New Mexico finding Meta negligent and liable for harms to youth mental health. Attorney General Andrea Campbell celebrated the decision as a crucial step toward holding tech giants accountable for prioritizing profits over children's wellbeing, while Meta continues to deny the allegations, asserting its commitment to user safety.
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Massachusetts Court Rules Meta Must Face Youth Addiction Lawsuit
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that Meta Platforms must face a lawsuit filed by the state attorney general, which alleges the company deliberately designed social media features to addict young users. This landmark decision marks the first time a state high court has determined that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act does not shield internet companies from claims regarding their own conduct in designing addictive platforms, as opposed to user-generated content. The court unanimously agreed that the lawsuit targets Meta’s business practices and alleged misleading statements about safety, rather than liability for third-party posts. This ruling occurs amidst a broader legal crackdown, with 34 other states pursuing similar cases against Meta in federal court. It follows recent significant jury verdicts in Los Angeles and New Mexico finding Meta negligent and liable for harms to youth mental health. Attorney General Andrea Campbell celebrated the decision as a crucial step toward holding tech giants accountable for prioritizing profits over children's wellbeing, while Meta continues to deny the allegations, asserting its commitment to user safety.
The Guardian