States Allege Meta Designed Addictive Features for Minors

Why it matters locally: North Carolina is one of the states participating in the multi-state lawsuit against Meta Platforms, alleging the company designed addictive features for minors on Instagram and Facebook.

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Multiple states have accused Meta Platforms of intentionally designing Instagram and Facebook with features to maximize engagement among children and teenagers. Prosecutors allege the company continued these practices despite becoming aware of potential negative impacts on youth mental health. A spokesperson for Meta denied these claims. The company representative stated that Meta stands by its efforts to protect minors on its platforms. They described the allegations as unsubstantiated. Bloomberg tech reporter Alexandra Levine discussed the legal action during an interview with Amna Nawaz. The discussions centered on the specifics of the ongoing legal challenges against the technology company.