Google, Meta, TikTok sue to block California youth social media law
META•Google, Meta and TikTok sued to block a California law restricting features such as personalized recommendations and autoplay for children under 16. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, and the companies argue it violates free-speech protections and federal law.
1. Companies challenge the law
Google, Meta Platforms and TikTok filed separate lawsuits seeking to block enforcement of California Assembly Bill 1709, which is intended to limit features that could lead children under 16 to compulsive social media use. The law bars personal recommendations and autoplay videos for underage users and requires deletion of children's accounts with those features.
2. Constitutional arguments
The companies argue the law compels them to present content in the state's preferred way and substitutes state judgment for parents' decisions. They say it violates the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office said it is reviewing the lawsuits and is committed to defending laws protecting children online.
3. Effective date and context
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law on September 10. It is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, unless a judge voids it or puts it on hold. Google owns YouTube, Meta owns Facebook and Instagram, and TikTok is a unit of ByteDance.
