Instagram chief Adam Mosseri is expected to testify on Tuesday in a major US trial examining Meta Platforms' treatment of children and teenagers on its social media platforms.
According to a Reuters report, the case has been brought by 29 US states, making it one of Meta's biggest legal challenges over allegations concerning the impact of social media on young users.
Four states - California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey - have accused Meta of designing Instagram and Facebook to keep children engaged for longer periods. They allege that the company's practices contributed to mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and suicide.
The states have also accused Meta of misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms. Another key part of the case concerns the company's handling of children under the age of 13.
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All 29 states allege that Meta improperly collected and used the personal information of children using its services.
The states could seek nearly $200 billion in civil penalties if they succeed in the case.
Meta has denied the allegations, rejecting claims that it deliberately designed its platforms to make children addicted for financial gain. The company has also cited its research in arguing that there is no clear link between social media use by adolescents and poor well-being.
Mosseri's expected testimony was confirmed by the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Mosseri, who has led Instagram since 2018, is expected to face questions about the platform's design, safety measures and its approach to younger users.
He has previously defended Instagram against similar criticism. In February, Mosseri testified in a Los Angeles case involving allegations that social media platforms were designed to be addictive to young users.
A jury later found Meta and Alphabet's Google negligent in the design of their platforms and ordered them to pay $6 million to a 20-year-old woman who alleged that she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child.
During that case, Mosseri rejected suggestions that Instagram had ignored child safety concerns. He defended the company's product decisions and said its products and policies continue to evolve as Meta addresses issues related to young users.
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The latest trial comes as Meta faces growing legal pressure over allegations concerning the impact of its platforms on children and teenagers. Earlier this month, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million in a separate case involving allegations related to teenagers' mental health.
Tennessee is also pursuing similar claims against Meta in a separate trial in Nashville.
Mosseri's testimony could be a key moment in the trial as the states seek to hold Meta accountable for the alleged impact of its platforms on children and teenagers.
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