Instagram chief testifies in states' lawsuit over teen safety features
Adam Mosseri testified that he never intended to hide information about the low adoption of the Take a Break feature. He acknowledged that only 1.8% of teens opted in but said the company doesn't publish every statistic. The trial involves 29 states alleging Meta designed addictive products harming youth.
Mosseri's testimony marks the first time a Meta executive has taken the stand in this case, which began with opening statements last week. The Take a Break feature, announced in a blog post published just before his 2021 Senate appearance, saw only 1.8% of teens opt in, a figure the CEO acknowledged he had not publicly disclosed in numeric form.
The lawsuit's potential penalties could reach $200bn, and the trial's outcome may reshape how social platforms design features for younger users. Meta maintains its safety efforts are industry-leading, while prosecutors point to internal research and messaging patterns they argue reveal a pattern of downplaying risks.
This trial could set a significant precedent for how social media companies disclose internal data about teen safety features. If the states prevail, other platforms may face similar scrutiny, potentially leading to more transparent reporting of feature adoption rates and stronger regulatory oversight of youth-focused design choices. Parents and young users could gain clearer information about product risks, though the outcome remains uncertain.