7
Google, Meta and TikTok have filed separate lawsuits challenging a California law that restricts certain social media features for users under 16, setting up a legal battle over online safety, free speech and content recommendation systems.
The companies filed the lawsuits on Wednesday, November 4, in federal courts in San Jose, San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively. The cases name California Attorney General Rob Bonta as the defendant.
The lawsuits challenge Assembly Bill 1709 (AB 1709), which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 10 and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Under the law, covered social media platforms would be prohibited from providing users under 16 with features considered psychologically exploitative and likely to encourage compulsive use. The law specifically identifies addictive feeds and autoplay, while allowing the attorney general to define additional features through regulations.
An addictive feed is defined as content that is recommended or prioritised using information linked to a user or their device.
The law does not completely ban children under 16 from having social media accounts. They can continue to use or create accounts if platforms disable the restricted features. Platforms must also take reasonable steps to prevent under-16 users from accessing those features and verify users' ages before enabling them.
In certain circumstances, platforms would also be required to delete accounts and associated personal information.
The technology companies argue that the law interferes with their editorial decisions over how content is selected and displayed. They contend that the restrictions violate First Amendment free-speech protections and conflict with Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, which generally provides platforms with protections from liability for third-party content.
The companies also argue that the law interferes with parents' ability to make decisions about their children's use of social media. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office has said the state will defend the law.
The lawsuits come amid growing scrutiny of social media platforms over allegations that certain design features can encourage compulsive use and contribute to harms affecting young people.
The legal challenge could have wider implications for how far US states can regulate engagement-driven features on social media platforms and what responsibilities technology companies have when designing services used by teenagers.
The companies filed the lawsuits on Wednesday, November 4, in federal courts in San Jose, San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively. The cases name California Attorney General Rob Bonta as the defendant.
The lawsuits challenge Assembly Bill 1709 (AB 1709), which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 10 and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Under the law, covered social media platforms would be prohibited from providing users under 16 with features considered psychologically exploitative and likely to encourage compulsive use. The law specifically identifies addictive feeds and autoplay, while allowing the attorney general to define additional features through regulations.
An addictive feed is defined as content that is recommended or prioritised using information linked to a user or their device.
The law does not completely ban children under 16 from having social media accounts. They can continue to use or create accounts if platforms disable the restricted features. Platforms must also take reasonable steps to prevent under-16 users from accessing those features and verify users' ages before enabling them.
In certain circumstances, platforms would also be required to delete accounts and associated personal information.
The technology companies argue that the law interferes with their editorial decisions over how content is selected and displayed. They contend that the restrictions violate First Amendment free-speech protections and conflict with Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, which generally provides platforms with protections from liability for third-party content.
The companies also argue that the law interferes with parents' ability to make decisions about their children's use of social media. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office has said the state will defend the law.
The lawsuits come amid growing scrutiny of social media platforms over allegations that certain design features can encourage compulsive use and contribute to harms affecting young people.
The legal challenge could have wider implications for how far US states can regulate engagement-driven features on social media platforms and what responsibilities technology companies have when designing services used by teenagers.
