A US federal judge has dismissed 25 lawsuits that accused Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg of personally facilitating social media addiction among young users through Facebook and Instagram.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who presided over the case in Oakland, California, ruled on Thursday that the lawsuits failed to present specific evidence linking Zuckerberg to the alleged actions, reports Reuters.
The plaintiffs had claimed that Zuckerberg, as Meta’s co-founder, was the key figure behind efforts to conceal the psychological risks of social media to minors, despite internal warnings.
However, Judge Gonzalez Rogers concluded that the mere fact of Zuckerberg’s control over the company’s operations was insufficient to establish personal liability.
The ruling, which does not affect ongoing lawsuits against Meta itself, centered on the lack of evidence directly implicating Zuckerberg.
The cases, which were filed under the laws of 13 US states, including Arizona, Colorado, and New York, are part of a broader wave of legal action.
Previn Warren, a partner at Motley Rice law firm representing the plaintiffs, affirmed that his clients remain determined to uncover evidence demonstrating that major tech companies prioritize profits over the safety of children.
This legal development is part of a larger effort to hold tech giants accountable for their role in fostering social media addiction.
