Lawsuit Alleges Meta Used Data to Design Addictive Products Targeting Minors

Professor Nitzan Peikin, Deputy Director of the Cyber Law and Policy Center at the University of Haifa, explained the core issue in the lawsuit against Meta, focusing on whether the company used data collected from minors to shape its products and increase screen time. The case centers on the legal question of whether Meta knowingly leveraged specific behavioral information about children to maximize user engagement through product design.

Peikin highlighted that this lawsuit is unique because it targets the product design itself rather than just content or privacy concerns. The key legal issue is whether Meta's knowledge about children's behavior influenced how it engineered its platforms to boost usage time, potentially exploiting minors' psychological and neurological vulnerabilities.

She noted that not all children become addicted, comparing social media to other addictive behaviors like gambling or alcohol use. However, the allegation is that Meta continuously tracked user behavior, conducted experiments on product versions, and intentionally optimized features such as infinite scrolling and fear of missing out (FOMO) to increase screen time, especially among minors.

Peikin also pointed out that it remains unclear if Meta's actions were deliberate or part of an organizational pattern. The lawsuit argues that if Meta intentionally collected developmental data to enhance addictive elements in its social networks, it raises serious questions about the company's legal responsibility.

The case is significant as it could set a precedent regarding corporate accountability for designing digital products that may harm vulnerable populations like children.