tech
Key witness in Meta trial says terms of settlement insufficient to halt apps’ harms to teenagers
Exclusive: Arturo Béjar, an ex-Facebook employee and whistleblower, said outcome ‘is not an all clear to say the product is safe’
TL;DR
- A settlement has been reached between Meta and dozens of states in a trial alleging harmful design of addictive products affecting young users' mental health.
- The settlement mandates major platform changes, including strict time limits for teens on apps like Instagram and Facebook, default non-algorithmic feeds, and enhanced parental controls.
- Star witness Arturo Béjar, an ex-Facebook employee, believes the settlement does not go far enough to address the harms, stating that the addictive algorithmic design remains unchanged.
- Béjar criticized the settlement for lacking independent oversight and quantitative obligations for harm reduction, comparing it to allowing limited smoking.
- Meta defended the settlement, pointing to existing protections and other mandated changes like 'night mode,' 'school mode,' and disabling 'social comparison' features by default.
- Meta did not admit wrongdoing and denies all allegations, having faced significant litigation over claims of creating addictive products for young users.