Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, testified in a California federal court on Tuesday, marking the first time a top executive from Meta has appeared in the high-profile lawsuit brought by 29 US states. During his testimony, Mosseri pushed back against accusations from prosecutors that the company deliberately suppressed negative information regarding the efficacy of its teen safety features.
Addressing the court, Mosseri stated, "I am not trying to encourage my team to hide anything," while noting that the company does not publicly disclose every internal statistic. The trial, which began with opening statements in Oakland last week, examines allegations that Meta designed addictive social media products that have led to mental health struggles among young users, including anxiety, depression, and suicide. Furthermore, the states contend that Meta collected data on children under 13 without obtaining the required parental consent.
Prosecutors focused on "Take a Break," a feature designed to prompt teenagers to exit the app after extended scrolling sessions. Jason Slothouber, a prosecutor representing Colorado, highlighted that only 1.8% of teenagers opted into the tool. Slothouber questioned why Mosseri promoted the feature without disclosing these low adoption rates. In response, Mosseri maintained that he had publicly acknowledged low opt-in rates, though he admitted he was unsure if he had shared the specific numbers.
When questioned about the timing of a blog post he published one day before a 2021 Senate testimony—which touted the "Take a Break" tool—Mosseri explained that the company wanted to share the progress they had made. He also addressed the concept of "drumbeat messaging," confirming he was familiar with the strategy of repeating information to ensure parents and users are aware of available safety tools. "We need to repeat it to raise awareness of those tools," Mosseri testified.
The trial, which is expected to continue through September, has already included testimony from former Meta safety engineer and whistleblower Arturo Béjar, who alleged that the company operates under a "don’t ask, don’t tell" strategy regarding child safety. Jurors have also heard from a psychologist and other former and current company employees. If found liable, Meta could face damages reaching $200 billion and be mandated to redesign its products. A Meta spokesperson stated that the company’s safety teams are industry-leading and that Mosseri’s testimony demonstrates a commitment to research-driven improvements. Further testimony is anticipated from other witnesses, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
