SAN FRANCISCO, United States — A U.S. appeals court has cleared the way for thousands of lawsuits against major social media companies to continue, rejecting an early appeal by Meta and TikTok over claims that their platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive to young users. The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means the federal litigation involving more than 3,000 cases can proceed.
- More than 3,000 federal lawsuits against major social media companies can move forward.
- The 9th Circuit said Section 230 provides a liability defense, not immunity from lawsuits.
- Meta’s request to delay a trial involving 29 state attorneys general was also rejected.
- The litigation includes claims involving youth safety, data collection and allegedly addictive platform design.
Social media addiction lawsuits survive Section 230 challenge
Meta and TikTok had argued that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 protected them from lawsuits alleging that they failed to warn users about the potentially addictive nature of their platforms.
The companies sought to challenge a lower court decision before the broader litigation had reached a final judgment. The appeals court rejected that approach, ruling that Section 230 functions as a defense against liability rather than providing companies with immunity from being sued.
As a result, the court concluded that the companies’ appeal was premature and allowed the underlying litigation to continue.
Meta fails to delay 29-state trial
The appeals court also rejected Meta’s attempt to postpone a trial brought by attorneys general from 29 states. That case alleges that Meta illegally collected and used children’s data, designed its platforms to keep young users engaged and misled consumers about the safety of its services.
The trial was scheduled to begin on Wednesday. Meta had argued that proceedings should be delayed while its appeal remained unresolved, but the court declined to grant the request.
The development comes shortly after a New Mexico judge ruled that Meta had created a public nuisance in the state. The judge ordered the company to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund and implement measures focused on youth safety.
More than 3,000 federal cases consolidated
The broader federal litigation includes claims filed by parents, individuals, school districts, municipalities and states. Plaintiffs allege that social media companies intentionally designed their products to encourage addiction among young users and contributed to problems including depression, anxiety and body-image concerns.
The federal cases have been centralized before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California. Plaintiffs are seeking damages, penalties and restitution, while the companies have challenged earlier orders that largely allowed the cases to proceed.
Similar litigation is also taking place in state courts. Approximately 3,300 related cases have been consolidated in California state court, according to the supplied report.
Earlier verdicts add pressure on tech companies
The latest ruling follows several courtroom developments involving the same allegations. In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent over the design of social media platforms that allegedly harmed young people and awarded $6 million to a young woman who said she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child.
In another case in New Mexico, a jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million after finding that the company had misled consumers about the safety of its platforms. Meta and Google have denied the allegations in those cases and said they would appeal.
What the ruling means for the litigation
The appeals court decision does not determine whether Meta, TikTok, Google, Snap, Twitch or Reddit are ultimately liable for the allegations raised by plaintiffs. Instead, it allows the litigation to continue toward trials and other proceedings where the underlying claims can be examined.
Attorneys representing thousands of school districts and individuals said the decision would allow the 29-state trial to proceed and also keep a school-district trial scheduled for February on track.
“A trial is how the public finds out what Meta knew about its products’ impact on children, when it knew it, and what it chose to do with that knowledge,” the attorneys said.
How many lawsuits are involved?
The federal litigation covers more than 3,000 lawsuits. The companies are also facing hundreds of additional cases in state courts, including approximately 3,300 consolidated cases in California state court.
Does the ruling mean the companies have been found liable?
No. The 9th Circuit ruling concerns whether the companies could bring an immediate appeal based on their Section 230 defense. It does not establish liability for the allegations at the centre of the broader lawsuits.
