Meta Platforms Lawsuit in Massachusetts

By Nate Raymond
BOSTON (Reuters) – Meta Platforms must face a lawsuit from Massachusetts alleging that the company intentionally deployed features on Instagram to addict young users while misleading the public about the risks to teenagers' mental health, a judge ruled.

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Peter Krupp decided on Friday to reject Meta's request to dismiss claims made by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. The claims assert violations of state consumer protection laws and the creation of a public nuisance.

Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, argued that the state's case was barred under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. This federal law protects internet companies from liability for content posted by users.

However, Judge Krupp ruled that the law does not apply to the alleged false statements made by Meta regarding Instagram's safety, the protection of young users, or the efficacy of its age-verification systems to prevent underage children from accessing the platform.

He further noted that claims about Instagram's design features negatively impacting users were also not protected under Section 230 because the state is focused on holding Meta accountable for its business practices.

Attorney General Campbell stated that the judge's ruling allows them to proceed with their claims against Meta and to advocate for important changes on Meta's platforms that will safeguard young users.

A spokesperson for Meta expressed disagreement with the ruling, asserting that evidence will reveal the company’s dedication to supporting young people.

This ruling follows a federal judge in California also denying Meta's request to dismiss lawsuits from over 30 states, which claim the company exacerbates mental health issues among teens by making its platforms addictive.

Massachusetts took a distinctive approach by pursuing its claims in state court when it filed the lawsuit in October 2023, becoming one of the more notable cases due to allegations regarding CEO Mark Zuckerberg's indifference to concerns about Instagram's potentially harmful effects.

The lawsuit contends that Instagram's features, such as push notifications, post likes, and infinite scrolling, were designed to exploit teens' psychological vulnerabilities and their fear of missing out. The state claims that internal data confirmed the platform was addictive and detrimental to children, yet top executives ignored recommendations for changes that would promote teens' well-being.