Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, has received more than 1.1 million reports of underage users (below 13 years) on the platform since the beginning of 2019. Despite these alarming figures, the company has disabled only a fraction of these accounts, as revealed in a new legal complaint brought forward by attorneys from 33 U.S. states. This development marks a significant challenge for the social media giant, raising questions about its commitment to safeguarding young users.
The lawsuit accuses Meta of routinely collecting personal information of children, such as residence locations and email addresses, without parental consent. This practice allegedly violates the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Meta could face fines amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars or more if these allegations are proven in court.
This privacy concern is part of a larger federal lawsuit filed last month by major U.S. states in the Northern District of California, as reported by The New York Times. The suit accuses Meta of unfairly attracting teenagers to its platforms, Instagram and Facebook, while concealing internal studies that show the harm experienced by young users. The states are seeking to compel Meta to cease using certain features they claim have harmed young users.
The details of the lawsuit highlight Meta’s consistent failure to implement effective age-verification systems. Instead of rigorous checks, Meta allegedly allowed users under 13 to lie about their ages to create Instagram accounts. This approach poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of underage users.
Furthermore, Meta’s executives have been accused of misleading Congress in their testimonies, claiming that the company’s age-verification process was effective and that underage accounts were removed upon discovery. This contrasts sharply with the reality of millions of underage users on Instagram.
The legal action against Meta underscores the growing scrutiny of social media platforms in protecting underage users. It highlights the need for stronger safeguards and transparency in how social media companies manage and verify their user base, especially when it involves children. This lawsuit against Meta not only represents a legal challenge but also a critical moment for the industry to reassess its policies and practices regarding the safety and privacy of young internet users.