Meta, Google, TikTok Sue California Over Teen Social Media Law
The platforms sue to block a new law limiting autoplay and feeds for users under 16.
TL;DR
- Meta, Google and TikTok sued California AG Rob Bonta to block AB 1709.
- The law bans autoplay and personalized feeds for under-16s or requires account deletion.
- Companies cite First Amendment and Section 230 violations; EFF warns of privacy risks.
Meta, Google and TikTok each sued California Attorney General Rob Bonta to block a new law set to start next year.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1709 in September. It stops platforms from showing autoplay videos and personalized feeds to users under 16. Platforms must delete those accounts if the features stay on. Fines could reach $50,000 per affected user.
The companies say the rules violate the First Amendment and clash with Section 230. Meta argued the law would force it to stop sharing speech with minors or delete their accounts. Google and TikTok filed similar complaints.
A Google spokesperson noted that autoplay is already off for minors by default and parents can block Shorts. “We believe parents are best positioned to make the right decisions for their families,” the spokesperson said.
“We believe parents are best positioned to make the right decisions for their families”
The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned the law would push platforms to collect more data from everyone, hurting privacy and anonymity. It also said the rules could cut teens off from activism and information.
Similar fights are happening elsewhere. Australia banned social media for under-16s last year, while France’s version was struck down over free-speech concerns. Meta recently agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle claims from 29 states about kids’ safety on its apps.
The attorney general’s office said it is reviewing the filings and plans to defend the law.
The Tea
Big Tech is betting courts will side with free speech over state attempts to police feeds for teens. The real test is whether parents or lawmakers get the final say on what kids see online.