Three years after filing, bipartisan trial begins against Meta for addictive features that harm children

AG Ellison and bipartisan coalition first filed lawsuit in October 2023; allege Meta knew about harms of Facebook and Instagram on young users but deceived them, their parents, and the public about the risks

August 19, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Nearly three years after it was filed, the lawsuit that Attorney General Ellison and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general filed against Meta has gone to trial. Attorney General Ellison and the coalition allege the social-media giant knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Facebook and Instagram that drive children and teens to use the platforms compulsively, while falsely assuring parents and the public that its platforms were safe for young users.

The trial has opened before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is expected to last six to eight weeks.

“It’s my job to protect Minnesotans — and most especially to protect our kids from exploitation, including by massive social-media corporations,” Attorney General Ellison said. “The states intend to prove at trial that Meta is intentionally trying to manipulate our children into spending as much time on their platforms as possible, even though they know this causes them serious harm. I’m proud to be part of this national, bipartisan coalition that is holding Meta accountable for this disgraceful, predatory and illegal behavior.”

In October 2023, Attorney General Ellison and the coalition filed suit against Meta following a multi-year nationwide investigation. The states allege Meta deliberately designed its platforms to exploit young users’ vulnerabilities, foster compulsive use, and maximize the time young people spend on Facebook and Instagram. The attorneys general also allege Meta knew about harms to young users but deceived users, parents, and the public about the risks. The lawsuit further alleges Meta illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

Meta has repeatedly tried to prevent the states’ case from reaching trial. In 2025, the court rejected Meta’s attempt to dismiss key parts of the states’ case, allowing claims related to allegedly addictive platform design and Meta’s failure to warn young users and parents about known risks to move forward. After the court rejected Meta’s motion to rule in their favor without a trial in June 2026, the company asked the district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the trial. Both courts rejected that request, clearing the way for the attorneys general to present their case at trial.

The states are asking the court to hold Meta accountable, stop unlawful practices, and require the company to follow laws designed to protect children and consumers. They are also seeking monetary penalties and other relief available under federal and state law.

The trial will be litigated by counsel from the attorney general offices of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, with support from other coalition states, including Minnesota.

Joining Attorney General Ellison in the lawsuit along with the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey are the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.