Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is not personally liable in 25 lawsuits accusing his company of addicting children to social media – reported Reuters.
A judge in U.S. District Court in Oakland rejected allegations that Zuckerberg personally directed the effort to hide serious health risks associated with using Facebook and Instagram.
In the filed lawsuits, Zuckerberg was referred to as a “spiritual guide” that he consciously hid risks associated with excessive use social networking site by the youngest. Facebook's creator also allegedly ignored internal and external warnings he received.
Judge Gonzalez Rogers, however, found that the plaintiffs did not present evidence of the illegal actions of Meta's boss, and “control over the corporation's activities alone” is not sufficient to hold Zuckerberg personally liable for addiction. kids from using Facebook.
Meta in the heat of accusations. “Puts profits over children's safety”
Importantly, the court's decision does not affect claims against the Meta company itself, which is accused of having a harmful impact on children's mental health in a number of trials currently underway in USA. Attorney Previn Warren, representing the plaintiffs, said his clients will continue to gather evidence to show how “Big Tech” consciously puts profits ahead of children's safety.
It is worth adding that these matters are part of a broader wave of lawsuits in which children, their families and schools are seeking damages from companies such as Meta, Google, TikTok and Snapchat for the effects of social media addiction.