Google, Meta and TikTok sue to block California youth social media law
META•Google, Meta Platforms and TikTok filed separate lawsuits seeking to block California from enforcing a law that bars certain social media features for children under 16. The companies argue it violates the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
1. Companies challenge law
Google, Meta Platforms and TikTok sued California to block enforcement of Assembly Bill 1709, which bars platforms from offering children under 16 features deemed psychologically exploitative, including personal recommendations and autoplay video. The law also requires deletion of children's accounts using those features.
2. Constitutional arguments
The companies argue the law compels them to present content in the state's preferred way and substitutes the state's judgment for parents' choices. They say it violates First Amendment protections and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Google filed in San Jose, Meta in San Francisco and TikTok in Los Angeles.
3. Wider legal backdrop
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 mental health harms. 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.
