A federal trial testing whether social media companies designed their products in ways that harmed young users is opening in Oakland this week, after a federal appeals court dismissed early appeals by Meta and TikTok and refused to postpone the proceeding.
A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled Monday that it lacked jurisdiction to review the appeal at this stage, allowing thousands of consolidated claims to move forward. The panel separately denied Meta's request to delay a trial brought by state attorneys general alleging the company unlawfully collected and used children's data, built its platforms to be addictive to minors, and misled consumers about safety. Jury selection begins this week, with opening arguments expected to follow.
