RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Day two of Meta’s high-profile trial in Oakland federal court is underway, with much of Wednesday morning focused on testimony from a former company employee turned whistleblower.
At the center of the case are allegations that Meta misrepresented features on its apps and whether they are addictive.
Arturo Bejar, a former Meta employee, testified about the company’s app design, particularly for younger users.
Bejar claimed Meta’s apps are designed to keep users scrolling as a way to increase advertising revenue.
When asked about Meta’s approach to users under 13, Bejar described it as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” He testified that underage users are relatively easy to identify. Videos shown in court depicted young users posting their ages while participating in online trends.
Bejar also testified about a letter he wrote to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg before leaving the company in which he raised concerns about how the company addressed harmful experiences on its platforms.
In the letter, Bejar said he believed there was a “critical gap” between Meta’s approach to harm and how users experienced it.
He wrote that 51% of Instagram users reported having a harmful or bad experience within the previous seven days, but only 1% of those users reported the experience. Of those reports, he said, 2% resulted in the content being removed.
Bejar appealed directly to Zuckerberg, saying he believed addressing the issues would require a cultural shift within the company.
Meta’s attorneys began their cross-examination of Bejar on Wednesday, and questioning is continuing.
The trial pits Meta against 29 states, including California, over allegations involving the company’s social media platforms and their potential risks to young users.
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