Meta settles teen addiction lawsuit, leaving Snap alone at trial
Meta has settled a lawsuit from a teen who said its apps were addictive and hurt her mental health, CBS News and NBC News report. The terms are secret. Snap now stands alone as the defendant in the Los Angeles trial.
Meta has settled a lawsuit brought by a young woman who said Instagram and Facebook were addictive and harmed her mental health, CBS News and NBC News report. The plaintiff is identified in court papers only as K.D.B. The terms were not made public.
Meta had already settled with a second plaintiff, known as S.J., the outlets report. TikTok and YouTube settled with each plaintiff before the trial. That leaves Snap, the maker of Snapchat, as the only defendant, NBC News reports.
Jury selection began this week in Los Angeles. NBC News says opening arguments are set for November 4. Lawyers for the plaintiffs expect the trial to last into mid-December, CBS News reports.
The plaintiffs say Snap built features such as Snapstreaks, Snapscores and filters to keep young users on the app. They say that led to depression, anxiety, an eating disorder and self-harm. Snap disputes the claims. "We believe the evidence will support that we have put our community first," the company said in a statement, NBC News reports.
"We are pleased to have brought this matter to a just resolution on behalf of our client," said Emily Jeffcott, a lawyer for K.D.B. A Meta spokesperson said the company "will continue to defend ourselves in court, and we stand by our record."
The case is one of several test trials in a group of cases brought by more than 1,600 plaintiffs, NBC News reports. In March, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in a separate case and awarded the plaintiff $3 million.
What we know: Meta settled with K.D.B., and Snap is the only defendant left at trial.
What we don't: The settlement terms, or how a jury will view the claims against Snap.
Where outlets agree CBS News and NBC News report Meta settled with K.D.B., leaving Snap as the remaining defendant.
Where they differ CBS News says Meta settled with S.J. last week, while NBC News says that deal came one day before the K.D.B. settlement.