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Google, Meta, TikTok Sue California Over Ban on Kids' Social Media Features

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Technology Desk

In Short: Tech giants Google, Meta, and TikTok have filed separate lawsuits against California to block a new state law that prohibits social platforms from providing 'addictive' features to users under 16.

Google, Meta and TikTok sue California over law designed to protect children from social media harms. 6abc Philadelphia

Tech giants Google, Meta, and TikTok have filed separate lawsuits against California to block a new state law that prohibits social platforms from providing 'addictive' features to users under 16. The law, known as Assembly Bill 1709, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September.

According to the lawsuits, the law would require platforms to implement 'reasonable measures' to ensure that those under 16 are not given access to addictive features, such as autoplayed videos, endless scrolling, and recommendation feeds.

Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, stated in its lawsuit that the law would force them to either remove features that keep teens' experiences age-appropriate or cut thousands of California teens off from their communities.

Google and TikTok also argue that the law disregards real progress in making teens safer online and limits free speech and parental rights.

The law describes such features as 'psychologically exploitative' and intended to maximize engagement in a way that leads to compulsive use.

In August, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add stronger child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms as part of a landmark legal settlement that ended a trial over teen social media addiction.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• They must also implement “reasonable measures” to make sure those under 16 are not given access to the addictive features by verifying users' ages.
• In addition to the First Amendment, TikTok, Meta and Google argue that the law violates Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which shields tech companies from liability for material posted on their sites by third parties.
• In August, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add stronger child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms as part of a landmark legal settlement that ended a trial over teen social media addiction and settled claims filed by nearly every state.
• Breaking news for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties Tech companies Google, Meta and TikTok are suing California in a bid to block a new state law designed to protect kids from certain “addictive” features of social media that can keep them online for hours, according to court papers obtained Thursday.
• The effort targeted features designed to hook young people’s attention.
• Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits seeking to block a California law designed to protect children from the risks of social media, arguing that it violates their First Amendment rights.
• In September, TikTok settled with Alabama over addictive features.
• The law, known as Assembly Bill 1709, prohibits such platforms from offering underage children “psychologically exploitative features” that could lead to compulsive use, such as providing ⁠personal recommendations and sending videos through autoplay features.

What's still developing

• The new law would restrict the offering of addictive features, regardless of whether parental consent is obtained, TikTok’s legal team noted.
• In the latter case, the jury determined penalties of $375 million.
• In its suit, Instagram and Facebook owner Meta argued that California’s attempt to “appoint the state as the editor, curator and controller of online speech” and “override Meta’s editorial judgment” about how to display user posts violates the Constitution.
• TikTok argues that California is replacing parental judgment with government restrictions, including for families that have already enabled screen-time limits and other safety controls.
• In separate lawsuits on Wednesday, Google, Meta and TikTok said the law wrongly compels them to honor the state’s preferred means of presenting content to children, and ‌substitutes the ​state’s judgment for that of parents.

Sources

• ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videoslink
• Deadlinelink
• EdSourcelink
• International Business Times UKlink
• Law Commentarylink
• Mashable SEAlink
• MediaNamalink
• MyNewsLA.comlink
• TechCrunchlink
• TelegraphHerald.comlink
• The Guardianlink
• The Independentlink
• The Mighty 790 KFGOlink
• TheWraplink
• gHackslink
• Wgylink
• 6abc Philadelphia — video link
• CBS 8 San Diego — video link