Two US juries have ordered social media giants Meta and YouTube to pay millions of dollars for violating child safety laws. The verdicts may be just the beginning of a tidal wave of lawsuits, with hundreds of similar cases consolidated and awaiting trial. The fines are largely seen as a drop in the bucket compared to the massive profits earned by these companies.
However, experts say that the real impact lies in the potential structural changes to social media platforms. A public nuisance count is set to be heard without a jury, which could lead to Meta being forced to eliminate harm-causing conditions on its platform, such as inadequate age verification and algorithm design that amplifies harmful content.
The verdicts also signal a shift in how courts approach liability for tech companies. For the first time, internal documents have been used as evidence, revealing that social media executives knew about the risks but chose to ignore them. This sets a precedent for future cases, which could lead to significant changes in how these platforms operate.
The Los Angeles case found Meta and YouTube negligent in their design of their platforms and awarded damages to a 20-year-old woman who struggled with addiction and depression after using the platforms from a young age. The verdict has immediate implications, allowing other plaintiffs to litigate on stronger footing.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez is pushing for real changes, including algorithm updates and independent monitoring, which could lead to an overhaul of how social media companies approach user safety. This case marks a significant shift in the debate over online regulation and the need for tech giants to take responsibility for their role in shaping society.
Source: https://theconversation.com/two-verdicts-in-two-days-how-american-courts-are-rewriting-the-rules-for-big-tech-and-children-279401