Meta will not have to face the next trial for social media addiction planned

Less than a week before Meta’s lawyer was appointed Back to the courtroom in Los AngelesThe plaintiff who accused the platform of causing harm dropped the case. Filed by a 15-year-old Florida plaintiff with the initials RKC, the case was scheduled to be the second in a group of groundbreaking trials aimed at testing legal arguments that the social media giants allegedly broke the law by creating features that harm teens.

TikTok, Snap, and YouTube previously settled claims brought by RKC for undisclosed amounts. “In light of the overall successful outcome of the lawsuit and his concerns about enduring a grueling, weeks-long trial, he has chosen to withdraw his claims against Meta,” RKC attorneys Emily Jeffcoat and Rahul Ravipudi said in a statement. “He is ready to close this chapter and focus on his recovery and engage in treatment as he aspires to a normal life.” This means that Meta got out of the case without having to pay a settlement. “The allegations never hold up, and this outcome makes clear that we will not back down from defending ourselves against meritless lawsuits,” said Andy Stone, a spokesman for Meta. He said In a statement.

Seven other cases remain pending in California state court in Los Angeles, and a separate set of cases are pending in federal court in Oakland. Meta, Tik Tok, Snap, and YouTube Settle with the school district This was to be the first in that separate set of groundbreaking cases seeking money to cover student mental health-related costs allegedly caused by their platforms. Meta is Still ready to face claims State prosecutors take it to federal court next month, alleging it illegally misled the public about harmful and allegedly addictive features.