Google, Meta and TikTok sue California over child-focused social media feature law

Alphabet's Google, Meta and ByteDance's TikTok have separately filed suits in federal court seeking to block California Assembly Bill 1709, which restricts addictive social media features for minors. The suits rest on First Amendment protections and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Meta argues the state cannot limit its editorial choices while leaving rival platforms free to offer similar services, and says the law would limit its ability to recommend age-appropriate content and force removal of related features.

1. Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits challenging California Assembly Bill 1709 in federal court.
2. The suits invoke First Amendment protections and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
3. Meta argues the law would restrict its editorial decisions while rivals could offer similar services.
4. Meta says the law would limit age-appropriate content recommendations and require removing related features.
5. The filings were reported as made on a Wednesday, based on a Benzinga article citing The Guardian; the article's exact publication date was not confirmed on a fetched page.