Google, Meta Platforms and TikTok sued to block a California law restricting features they can offer users under 16, arguing it violates free-speech protections and federal law.
In separate lawsuits filed Wednesday, Google, Meta and TikTok asked courts to block enforcement of California Assembly Bill 1709. The law bars platforms from offering children under 16 features deemed potentially addictive, including personal recommendations and autoplay video, and requires accounts using those features to be deleted.
The companies argued the law substitutes the state's judgment for parents' and compels platforms to present content in the state's preferred way. They said it violates the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Meta said the state cannot override its editorial judgments about curating and displaying third-party posts.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law on September 10. The companies and Snap still face thousands of lawsuits alleging that they sought to addict children and contributed to a mental health crisis. In August, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and limit teenagers' use of Facebook and Instagram under agreements with nearly all US states.
