In a landmark tech addiction trial, YouTube is arguing it's an entertainment service, not addictive social media, as it faces lawsuits claiming its platform was designed to be harmful. The case is a major test of whether tech giants can be held liable for personal injury caused by their products.
Apps vs. traps: Plaintiffs’ attorney Mark Lanier framed the case as a battle against companies that build “digital casinos,” telling the jury that YouTube and Meta “didn’t want users, they wanted addicts.” Citing internal Google documents that allegedly referred to features as “slot machines,” Lanier argued the companies built traps, not just apps.
The defense rests: In response, YouTube’s lawyer claimed the plaintiff used the service for just 29 minutes a day, mostly for music. Meanwhile, Meta’s legal team is pursuing a different strategy, suggesting the plaintiff's mental health issues stemmed from familial abuse, not its apps.
The precedent on trial: The trial's outcome could compel a complete overhaul of how popular apps are designed. With testimony expected from CEOs Mark Zuckerberg and Neal Mohan, the case will set a major precedent for the future of platform liability and product design.
This trial is just one of several landmark legal tests social media giants are facing over child safety, a battle that TikTok managed to avoid by settling its case last month. In the same courtroom, Instagram head Adam Mosseri took the stand to argue that his platform is not 'clinically addictive.'
