Mark Zuckerberg
In 2023, a total of 29 states filed lawsuits against Meta, but the cases from four of them are being heard first. According to Meta’s own estimates, the maximum potential fines in these cases could theoretically reach $1.4 trillion—nearly the company’s entire market value.
Lawyers consider such a fine extremely unlikely. Far more serious for Mark Zuckerberg could be a government mandate to change the very mechanics of Facebook and Instagram—that is, to effectively interfere with the foundation of the company’s business model.
The plaintiffs also allege that Meta was aware of the risks to minors and collected data from children under 13 without parental consent. The company denies the allegations and points to its existing safeguards. Zuckerberg himself, Instagram head Adam Mosseri, and former Meta employees are expected to testify during the trial.
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