Meta, Google, and TikTok have filed separate lawsuits against the California Attorney General over a law that aims to restrict social media access for children under 16. The law, known as AB 1709, would prohibit social platforms from offering autoplay videos and personalized feeds to users under 16, and require them to delete users' accounts under 16 if they don't turn off certain features.
The law is slated to take effect at the start of the new year, but the tech companies are challenging its implementation. According to reports, non-compliant platforms could be liable for fines of up to $50,000 per affected user under 16, which has prompted the companies to take legal action.
The New York Times notes that the companies have been battling a flood of claims that their services are addictive, and this lawsuit is the latest development in that ongoing battle.
Evidence lens
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