Google, Meta and TikTok sue California over teen social media law

Google, Meta and TikTok have each sued California to block its AB 1709 teen social media law.

According to TechCrunch, the separate lawsuits name California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Engadget (citing Reuters) reports they were filed in various courts across the state. TechCrunch reports Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law in September and that it is slated to take effect at the start of the new year.

The law prohibits autoplay videos and personalized feeds or recommendations for users under 16. TechCrunch reports platforms must delete under-16 accounts if those users do not turn the features off. Engadget reports the law also bars 'psychologically exploitative features' that could lead to compulsive use. TechCrunch reports fines can reach $50,000 per affected user under 16.

The companies argue the law violates the First Amendment, and Engadget reports all three cite Section 230. Newsom said when signing that the state 'will not stand by while unregulated technology puts our children at risk.' A representative for Bonta told TechCrunch his office is reviewing the filings and is committed to 'defending California's commonsense laws to protect kids online.'

Watch for: how the courts handle the three suits before the law's slated start date.

“The state cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, override Meta's editorial judgments.”Meta, in its complaint (via Engadget)

The facts we checked

According to TechCrunch, Engadget (citing Reuters) and The New York Times

1. Google, Meta and TikTok have each filed separate lawsuits over California's AB 1709.Fact · TechCrunch, Engadget, The New York Times
2. The TechCrunch report says the lawsuits were filed against California Attorney General Rob Bonta.Reported · TechCrunch
3. The three companies filed their suits in various courts across California.Reported · Engadget
4. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1709 in September. It is slated to take effect at the start of the new year.Reported · TechCrunch
5. The law prohibits platforms from offering autoplay videos and personalized feeds or recommendations to users under 16.Fact · TechCrunch, Engadget
6. Platforms must delete under-16 users' accounts if those users do not turn those features off.Reported · TechCrunch
7. Engadget reports the law bars platforms from offering underage users 'psychologically exploitative features' that could lead to compulsive use.Reported · Engadget
8. Platforms that do not comply could face fines of up to $50,000 per affected user under 16 years old.Figure · TechCrunch
9. The companies argue the law violates the First Amendment. Meta also argues Section 230 preempts it, and Engadget reports all three cite Section 230.Reported · TechCrunch, Engadget
10. "The state cannot, consistent with the First Amendment, override Meta's editorial judgments," Meta wrote in its complaint.Quote · Engadget
11. A TikTok spokesperson said: "AB 1709 is a blatantly unconstitutional restriction on free expression that erodes the long-standing and protected practice of curating content based on user preferences, which book stores, TV networks and streaming services all use."Quote · TechCrunch
12. A Google spokesperson said: "Overly broad laws like this actually break the systems we've built to help kids find high-quality, age-appropriate videos." The spokesperson noted YouTube autoplay is off by default for minors.Quote · TechCrunch
13. Newsom said when signing the law that the state "will not stand by while unregulated technology puts our children at risk."Quote · Engadget
14. A representative for Bonta said his office is reviewing the filings and is committed to "defending California's commonsense laws to protect kids online."Quote · TechCrunch

Sources

• TechCrunchMeta, Google, and TikTok sue California AG over teen social media law
• The New York TimesGoogle, Meta and TikTok Sue California Over Ban on Features for Kids
• EngadgetGoogle, Meta and TikTok are all suing California to block social media law intended to help kids