Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrived Wednesday morning at Los Angeles Superior Court ahead of his testimony in a landmark trial on social media addiction — pausing at the metal detector to remind security of his bling.
The Silicon Valley giant was flanked by an entourage as he entered the court stone-faced in a dark suit and gray tie to testify in the high-stakes trial that could change long-standing legal precedent for social media companies.
The Meta CEO is testifying in a landmark trial on social media addiction. Frederick M. Brown for CA Post
The high-stakes trial could change long-standing legal precedent for social media companies. AFP via Getty ImagesOnce inside the courthouse, a guard at the metal detector asked Zuckerberg if he had anything else on him after the tech titan took out his phone and removed his watch and belt.
“I have a gold chain on,” Zuckerberg responded.
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His security detail then whisked him into a private room.
His testimony marks first time the tech mogul must address youth safety claims directly before a jury after years of intense congressional hearings. AFP via Getty ImagesHis testimony marks first time the tech mogul must address youth-safety claims directly before a jury, after years of intense congressional hearings.
The lawsuit was initially brought by a 20-year-old woman, identified in court documents as “KGM” or “Kaley,” and her mother. Kaley began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, and alleges she developed compulsive use, spending up to 16 hours per day on the Meta-owned platform by age 16.
The lawsuit claims the companies “engineered addiction” through design features such as infinite scroll and autoplay. These allegedly fueled severe mental health struggles, including anxiety, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts.
This trial is the first time a jury will decide if social media companies can be held responsible for their platform design choices. The outcome could limit the legal protections tech firms have relied on.
This case is one of more than 1,500 consolidated lawsuits to reach a jury, and it targets social media giants Meta, Google/YouTube, Snap Inc., and TikTok.
Snap and TikTok cut last-minute deals, but Meta and Google remain in the hot seat.
