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O CEO da Meta, Mark Zuckerbergstarred this Wednesday (18/2) in the first day of a trial considered historic in Los Angeles. For the first time, the executive is responding in court to accusations that his platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, were intentionally designed to addict children and adolescents, causing serious damage to their mental health.
The case was filed by a 20-year-old girl, identified as KGM, who reports having developed anxiety, depression and self-image disorders after starting to use social media at the age of 8.
Accusations and the “Tobacco Effect”
The trial calls into question not only Meta, but also giants like TikTok and YouTube. The prosecution’s central argument is that applications work like digital “slot machines”.
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Digital Traps: “They didn’t just create apps, they created traps. They didn’t want users, they wanted addicts,” said lawyer Mark Lanier.
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Historical Comparison: The lawsuit is being compared to actions against the tobacco industry in the 1990s, when companies were accused of omitting the risks of cigarettes.
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Defense of Big Techs: The companies claim a lack of scientific evidence about addiction and protect themselves under free speech laws that shield them from liability for third-party content.
Zuckerberg’s testimony
During the interrogation, Mark Zuckerberg was asked about access for children under 13 years of age to Instagram. The CEO was emphatic in stating that the platform prohibits the registration of children under this age group, but did not directly respond to questions about messages of support for parents who claim that their children were harmed by the algorithms.
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If Meta and the other platforms are convicted, the verdict could set an unprecedented legal precedent for holding technology companies worldwide accountable. Currently, thousands of school districts and attorneys general across the U.S. are filing similar lawsuits, seeking stricter regulations on algorithm design.
While Snapchat and TikTok have already sought agreements to settle part of the accusations, the trial of Mark Zuckerberg should continue over the next few weeks, being closely monitored by international regulators, including Brazil.
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