March 25 (Reuters) – A Los Angeles jury found Alphabet’s Google and Meta liable on Wednesday in a landmark youth social media addiction trial.
Here are the details of the jury’s verdict:
META, GOOGLE OWE DAMAGES
Meta and Google owe $3 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages. Meta will be liable for 70% of the total and Google for 30%.
META WAS NEGLIGENT
The jury found Meta was negligent in designing or operating Instagram.
META’S CONDUCT DEEMED ‘SUBSTANTIAL’ FACTOR IN WOMAN’S HARM
The jury found that Meta’s negligence was a “substantial factor” in harming the 20-year-old plaintiff. The plaintiff said earlier in the legal proceeding her Instagram use fueled her mental health struggles.
META DID NOT ADEQUATELY WARN USERS
The jury found Meta liable for failing to adequately warn users about the dangers of using Instagram.
GOOGLE WAS NEGLIGENT
The jury found Google was negligent in designing or operating YouTube.
GOOGLE’S CONDUCT DEEMED ‘SUBSTANTIAL’ FACTOR IN WOMAN’S HARM
The jury found Google’s negligence was a “substantial factor” in harming the 20-year-old plaintiff. The plaintiff has said YouTube’s features contributed to her depression and anxiety.
GOOGLE DID NOT ADEQUATELY WARN USERS
The jury found Google liable for failing to adequately warn users about the dangers of using YouTube.
(Reporting by Courtney Rozen; Editing by Rod Nickel and Jamie Freed)
