Key facts
- Meta Platforms faces a trial in California federal court starting Wednesday.
- 29 states allege Meta designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children.
- States accuse Meta of misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms.
- An appeals court rejected Meta's attempt to dismiss thousands of social media addiction lawsuits.
- The court ruled Section 230 provides a defense, not immunity from suit.
- Eli Lilly filed six lawsuits against U.S. companies.
- The lawsuits accuse companies of illegally selling black-market versions of retatrutide.
- Retatrutide is an experimental obesity drug still in clinical trials.
- The lawsuits target compounding pharmacies, medical spas, and online sellers.
Meta Platforms is scheduled to face a trial in California federal court starting Wednesday, with 29 states alleging that the company intentionally designed its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, to be addictive for children. The states further accuse Meta of misleading consumers about the safety of these platforms. This trial represents a significant legal challenge for the social media giant regarding its practices concerning young users.
In a related development, an appeals court has rejected Meta's attempt to dismiss thousands of social media addiction lawsuits. The court ruled that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides a defense, but not complete immunity from lawsuits. This decision allows a trial to proceed for these cases, denying Meta's claim of broad legal immunity.
In a separate legal matter, Eli Lilly has initiated six lawsuits against U.S. companies accused of illegally selling black-market versions of its experimental obesity drug, retatrutide. The lawsuits specifically target compounding pharmacies, medical spas, and online sellers that are marketing the unapproved drug. Retatrutide is currently still undergoing clinical trials, meaning it has not yet received regulatory approval for public use. Eli Lilly's action aims to prevent the unauthorized distribution and sale of its experimental medication.