Meta faces lawsuits over child harm and scam ads

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 21:20 · Archive

Meta is facing a class action lawsuit in Australia over addictive design features and a state lawsuit in Rhode Island over scam advertisements.

Meta is defending itself against legal action on two continents. In Australia, a class action lawsuit filed in the Federal Court alleges that Meta's social media platforms use addictive design features that have harmed children and teenagers. The suit was filed on behalf of eight plaintiffs who claim they were exposed to harmful content or developed addiction while under 18. A suppression order prohibits reporting details that could identify the plaintiffs or reveal the full statement of claim. The lawsuit is funded by Litigation Lending Services for families who "would have no practical means of pursuing these claims against a global technology giant".

In the United States, Rhode Island's Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has filed the first state lawsuit alleging that Meta does not adequately prevent scam advertisements and profits from their presence on its platforms. "Meta knowingly exposed vulnerable users to fraud and scams, and made enormous profits in doing so," the complaint alleges. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone responded that the company has removed over 159 million scam ads and accused the attorney general of refusing to engage constructively before filing suit. Other entities have previously sued over scams: the Consumer Federation of America filed a lawsuit in April and Santa Clara County in California did so in May.

How it is being reported

• Rhode Island sues Meta over its approach to scam adsIt's the first state to sue the social media company on these allegations.Engadget · 22 Oct, 21:05
• Meta faces Australian lawsuit over alleged social media harm to childrenClass action could be first in Australia to blame social media for harming its users.Al Jazeera · 22 Oct, 08:23

In this story: Meta · Australia · Rhode Island · United States · MinterEllison · Peter F. Neronha

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