Meta's blockbuster trial draws parallels to big tobacco
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Meta's trial over social media's harms draws comparisons to Big Tobacco litigation.
Oral arguments began August 18th in a federal trial in Oakland, California, accusing Meta of hiding that its products are harmful. The trial, which parallels Big Tobacco cases, comes as a sequel film dramatizing early-2020s whistleblower allegations is set for release. Despite the legal reckoning, investors remain calm.
What commenters are saying
Commenters focus on the difficulty of regulating addictive algorithms. Some argue chronological feeds and banning unsubscribed content would help, but note users prefer algorithmic recommendations. Others point to internal research at Meta that could prove the company knew of harms and chose not to act. A key question raised is how to legally define and test 'addictive' platforms without overreach.