Mark Zuckerberg escapes personal responsibility in Meta addiction lawsuits | Global News

In a recent ruling, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers dismissed Mark Zuckerberg as an individual defendant in about two dozen lawsuits accusing Meta Platforms Inc. and other social media companies of addicting children to their products. The decision allows Zuckerberg to avoid personal liability without affecting claims against Meta as a company.

The lawsuits, filed on behalf of young people, alleged that Zuckerberg was aware of the safety risks associated with Instagram and Facebook for children but chose to ignore the findings and not disclose them publicly. However, Judge Rogers ruled that Zuckerberg was not obligated to disclose safety information unless there was a “special relationship” with the users of Meta’s products.

Furthermore, the judge stated that holding Zuckerberg personally liable simply because he is the public face of Meta would set a dangerous precedent. She emphasized that such a ruling would create a duty to disclose for any public figure, which she deemed unacceptable.

While the cases naming Zuckerberg are just a fraction of over 1,000 suits against social media companies, including Google, TikTok, and Snapchat, Judge Rogers allowed some claims to proceed while dismissing others. The companies have denied any wrongdoing and asserted that they have implemented measures to ensure the safety of young users on their platforms.

The plaintiffs in the case have the opportunity to amend and refile their complaints, and the judge’s decision could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing legal battles surrounding social media addiction and its impact on children.