Meta and Snap in court. An important trial begins

The trial involving Meta and Snap will begin with jury selection and may last several weeks. Plaintiffs S.J. and K.D.B. allege that features like autoplay and infinite scrolling led to compulsive use of their platforms, contributing to mental health issues. They filed the lawsuit in 2023, citing extensive nighttime usage and self-harm incidents. Meta and Snap deny the allegations, asserting they have implemented user protections and that various factors affect mental health. The case is part of a larger wave of over 3,000 similar lawsuits in California, with the judge ruling that Section 230 does not shield companies from claims about their platform designs.