Meta, the behemoth behind Facebook and Instagram, is facing another major legal challenge. This week, federal court in Oakland, California, heard opening arguments as state attorneys general from four states take on Meta for violating COPPA laws and making deceptive statements.

The case highlights how companies like Meta have been navigating a fine line between growth and responsibility. Despite their technological prowess keeping users hooked, the company’s legal strategy has not been successful in recent high-profile trials.

One of the key witnesses was Arturo Bejar, who previously worked at Meta. He testified that under Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership, youth safety was often overlooked in favour of growth through testing features without proper screening for potential harms.

The stakes are high for Meta, with potential changes to core platform features and massive fines hanging over the company. The outcome could set a precedent not just for Facebook but for all social media giants.