Meta enters settlement talks with states over social media addiction lawsuit

Meta is in discussions with state attorneys general to settle a high-profile federal trial accusing the company of designing Facebook and Instagram to addict teenagers, according to Bloomberg. The mid-trial settlement conversations involve California, Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey and other states that have levied consumer protection claims. The talks come while the federal trial remains ongoing with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers overseeing the case. Meta faces potential damages that could reach as high as $1.4 trillion according to the company's own filings, though state attorneys have cited around $200 billion as a more likely figure. The company has argued its platforms are not addictive because social media addiction is not a recognized psychiatric disorder.

1. Meta is discussing a mid-trial settlement with state attorneys general, per Bloomberg reporting Tuesday.
2. Settlement talks involve consumer protection claims by California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey.
3. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is presiding over the federal trial.
4. Meta has said potential damages could reach $1.4 trillion; state attorneys have cited about $200 billion.
5. Meta contends social media addiction is not a recognized psychiatric disorder.