A former Meta Platforms engineering director has testified that CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership fostered a culture where child safety on Facebook and Instagram was not a top priority. Arturo Bejar, who worked at Meta from 2009 to 2015 and as a contractor from 2019 to 2021, stated that Zuckerberg was deeply involved in company decisions and that product changes only happened if he directed them. “If Mark makes something a priority, mountains move in months,” Bejar told the court.
Landmark Trial Against Meta Over Child Safety
Bejar’s testimony marks the first witness in a significant trial where a coalition of states is accusing Meta of intentionally designing its platforms to foster addiction in young users and illegally collecting data from children under 13. States including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey allege that Meta’s design choices for Facebook and Instagram contribute to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among young people, while also misleading the public about the platforms’ safety. In addition to these claims, Meta faces accusations from these states and 25 others of violating federal law by improperly gathering and utilizing personal data from children using its services.
Meta has refuted these allegations, asserting that Bejar’s opinions fall outside the scope of his employment. The trial commenced in Oakland, California’s federal court on Tuesday, with Bejar beginning his testimony. The proceedings are anticipated to last six weeks, and Mark Zuckerberg is expected to take the stand.
Allegations of Prioritizing Engagement Over Safety
During his tenure, Bejar was involved in surveying teenagers’ experiences and examining well-being on Instagram between 2019 and 2021. He has been a vocal critic of Meta’s child safety measures, previously testifying before a U.S. Senate committee in 2023 that the company was aware of the harassment and other harms faced by teenagers on its platforms but failed to implement adequate solutions.
In his recent testimony, Bejar elaborated on how Meta’s internal metrics, such as “meaningful social interactions” and “daily active users,” incentivized employees to prioritize user engagement and, consequently, profit, over safety. He specifically addressed a feature designed to encourage users to take breaks, which Meta has presented as a defense. Bejar claimed this tool was “designed to fail” because it is not enabled by default and its reminders are easily dismissed.
“All roads lead to time in the product,” Bejar stated. “In that context, safety was always an afterthought.”
Data Collection and Profit Motives
Bejar further alleged that Meta possessed the technological capability to identify and verify users suspected of being under 13, potentially affecting millions. However, he claimed the company adopted a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding this issue, choosing to overlook it because it was financially advantageous in the long run. “Where the youngest kids are is where the users are going to be in the future,” he explained, suggesting a strategic focus on capturing future user bases.
Broader Implications and Legal Precedents
Experts view this trial as a pivotal moment in assessing the impact of social media on young users. Meta is currently facing thousands of similar lawsuits concerning alleged harm to children. Bejar has been a significant witness in three previous cases against the company that have reached trial. One such case, initiated by New Mexico, resulted in substantial damages and penalties totaling $942 million (approximately $1.3 billion AUD), along with a court order mandating changes to Meta’s platforms within that state.
This ongoing trial represents a critical juncture for Meta as it confronts widespread accusations regarding its responsibilities towards its youngest users and the potential long-term consequences of its platform designs. The outcome could set significant precedents for the social media industry’s obligations concerning user safety and data privacy, particularly for minors.
