Media Contact
Adam Allington
Meta and a coalition of state attorneys general have settled a major federal case centering on allegations that the social media company misrepresented the extent of child-related mental health harms caused by apps like Facebook and Instagram.
James Grimmelmann
Tessler Family Professor of Digital and Information Law
James Grimmelmann is a professor of digital and information law at Cornell University and is an expert in content moderation, search engine regulation and online governance.
Grimmelmann says:
“Meta is now facing the same ugly truth as the makers of Agent Orange, asbestos, and other dangerous products. If you're liable at all, the lawsuits will keep coming and coming. Settling with the states is a way to try to limit Meta's overall exposure and get some of the biggest and most dangerous plaintiffs go away.
“But unless Meta can get legislation to codify its immunity (like gun makers enjoy) in exchange for specified design changes, the individual lawsuits will still be there—and this settlement may even encourage their filing because it's a sign of vulnerability on Meta's part. The bellwether trial is over, but Meta's trials are just beginning.”
