Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, testified in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, defending his company against allegations that its social media platforms, including Instagram, are designed to be addictive and harmful to children. The landmark trial, which also involves YouTube, centers on claims brought by a plaintiff identified as "KGM," who alleges that early social media use led to addiction and mental health issues.
The trial began in late January, with Zuckerberg facing questions from KGM's lawyer, Mark Lanier, about Meta's policies. According to CBS News, the focus of the questioning included Meta's under-13 users and the company's efforts to boost engagement. BBC Technology reported that Zuckerberg's appearance marked his first time before a jury after years of criticism against Meta, which also owns Facebook and WhatsApp. Meta's lawyers have argued that KGM's issues stemmed from other factors in her life, not Instagram use.
The case highlights growing concerns about the impact of social media on young users. KGM, now 20 years old, claims that the platforms' recommendation algorithms and infinite scrolling features are designed to be addictive, according to CBS News. The trial is being closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the tech industry.
In other news, the U.S. government announced a designation against Nicaraguan Prison Director Roberto Clemente Guevara Gómez for alleged human rights violations. Senator Marco Rubio stated on X that the designation was for Guevara Gómez's involvement in "gross violations of human rights." The U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua also announced the designation, calling for accountability for the crimes committed by the Murillo-Ortega dictatorship and urging the release of unjustly detained political prisoners, according to Fox News.
Additionally, the FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized the media for promoting a "hoax" surrounding Stephen Colbert's interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico, according to Fox News. Colbert had accused CBS of blocking the interview, but CBS denied the claim.
Finally, the UK's advertising regulator banned an advert for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 for trivializing sexual violence. The commercial, which featured a man being told to strip down at an airport security check, was deemed "irresponsible and offensive" by viewers, according to BBC Technology.
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