Zuckerberg takes stand in social media trial as jury hears that he’s educated on keep away from being ‘fake, robotic and corporate’ | EUROtoday

On Feb 19, 2026

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a Los Angeles courtroom to testify in a civil trial on social media dependancy, a closely-watched case that might have main implications for the tech business.

While testifying Wednesday on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Zuckerberg confronted questions on his previous congressional testimony, his firm’s method to underage customers and Instagram’s magnificence filters.

The 41-year-old CEO additionally confronted extra private questions, together with about his media coaching. At one level, the jury was proven a doc titled the “Zuckerberg comms plan,” which incorporates recommendation on keep away from showing “fake, robotic, corporate and cheesy.”

This is the primary time that the Meta CEO, who’s price an estimated $220 billion, has appeared in a civil trial. At the middle of the case is a 20-year-old California lady, recognized in court docket papers solely as KGM, who filed a lawsuit towards Meta, TikTok, Google, and Snap in 2022.

She accused the businesses of following Big Tobacco’s playbook: instilling addictive behaviors in teenagers whereas dismissing their very own analysis displaying their merchandise posed well being dangers. KGM mentioned that, as a younger baby, she started obsessively utilizing YouTube and Instagram. She claimed these platforms exacerbated her suicidal ideas and despair — an allegation the businesses have denied.

Mark Zuckerberg, the billionaire CEO of Meta, testified in a California courtroom Wednesday for a landmark case on social media addiction. The outcome of the case could have major implications for the tech industry — Mark Zuckerberg, the billionaire CEO of Meta, testified in a California courtroom Wednesday for a landmark case on social media dependancy. The end result of the case might have main implications for the tech business (AFP through Getty)

As of Wednesday afternoon, Zuckerberg had not but immediately answered the important thing query of whether or not Instagram, which Meta owns, is addictive, in accordance with the Associated Press. At one level, the plaintiff’s legal professional, Mark Lanier, requested him if folks sometimes use one thing extra if it’s addictive.

“I’m not sure what to say to that. I don’t think that applies here,” Zuckerberg testified.

Attorneys for the plaintiff claimed that roughly 4 million youngsters beneath 13 used Instagram, in accordance with CNBC. When Zuckerberg mentioned that Meta removes the underage customers it finds and contains details about age utilization throughout sign-up, Lanier replied: “You expect a nine-year-old to read all of the fine print?”

The plaintiff’s legal professional questioned Zuckerberg about Instagram’s magnificence filters — AI-powered instruments that alter an individual’s on-screen look — which have drawn criticism for negatively affecting customers’ vanity. The CEO mentioned the corporate had seen adverse suggestions in regards to the filters, however in the end determined to not ban them, citing freedom of expression.

A courtroom sketch shows Zuckerberg being sworn in ahead of his testimony — A courtroom sketch exhibits Zuckerberg being sworn in forward of his testimony (Reuters)

Lanier additionally requested Zuckerberg about his earlier testimony earlier than Congress, throughout which he mentioned his firm doesn’t set inside objectives to make sure customers spend extra time on its platforms. When Lanier introduced paperwork that appeared to contradict his declare, Zuckerberg mentioned his firm used to set these objectives, however later decided to cease, in accordance with AP.

When questioned by Paul Schmidt, certainly one of Meta’s attorneys, Zuckerberg instructed the court docket he needs his platforms to have a “positive impact in people’s lives,” in accordance with Sky News.

During the high-profile proceedings — which barred cameras — the choose additionally threatened penalties for anybody caught recording with AI-powered good glasses, CNBC studies. The outlet famous that a number of members of Zuckerberg’s entourage gave the impression to be carrying Meta’s AI glasses after they entered the courthouse.

Earlier Wednesday, relations who say their youngsters have been harmed by social media have been noticed in entrance of the courthouse, holding palms and embracing. One lady held up a photograph of her late 14-year-old son, who she mentioned died after buying fentanyl on social media.

Zuckerberg was flanked by several individuals who appeared to be part of his security detail, some of whom seemed to be wearing AI smart glasses — Zuckerberg was flanked by a number of people who gave the impression to be a part of his safety element, a few of whom appeared to be carrying AI good glasses (AFP through Getty)

As Zuckerberg entered the courthouse, he gave the impression to be served authorized papers. A video posted on-line confirmed a person approaching the tech boss with a sheaf of papers, whereas saying: “Mark Zuckerberg, you’ve been served.” Zuckerberg didn’t reply and it’s not clear if somebody in his entourage picked up the paperwork.

Before the trial started, TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff, narrowing the case to 2 defendants: Meta and Google.

“These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children,” Lanier mentioned originally of the trial earlier this month.

“And they did it on purpose.”

Outside the courthouse, a man attempted to hand a sheaf of papers to the billionaire CEO, while stating, ‘Mark Zuckerberg, you've been served.’ It’s unclear if a member of Zuckerberg’s entourage collected the papers — Outside the courthouse, a person tried handy a sheaf of papers to the billionaire CEO, whereas stating, ‘Mark Zuckerberg, you’ve been served.’ It’s unclear if a member of Zuckerberg’s entourage collected the papers (AFP through Getty)

Meta, the guardian firm of Instagram and Facebook, has pushed again towards the allegations.

“The question for the jury in Los Angeles is whether Instagram was a substantial factor in the plaintiff’s mental health struggles. The evidence will show she faced many significant, difficult challenges well before she ever used social media,” a Meta spokesperson instructed The Independent.

Schmidt, Meta’s lawyer, mentioned in his opening assertion that medical information point out the plaintiff had a tumultuous dwelling life and that she sought out social media platforms to deal with her pre-existing struggles.

Family members who say their children were harmed by social media were spotted in front of the courthouse, holding hands and embracing ahead of Zuckerberg’s testimony — Family members who say their youngsters have been harmed by social media have been noticed in entrance of the courthouse, holding palms and embracing forward of Zuckerberg’s testimony (AFP through Getty)

Outside the courthouse, a woman named Amy Neville displayed a picture of her son Alexander, who died at 14 from fentanyl bought through social media — Outside the courthouse, a girl named Amy Neville displayed an image of her son Alexander, who died at 14 from fentanyl purchased by way of social media (Getty)

Google has additionally denied the allegations introduced by KGM.

More than 1,500 related lawsuits have been filed towards social media firms, however KGM’s is the primary of a consolidated group to go to trial, in accordance with CNN. It’s been chosen as a bellwether trial, that means its verdict might assist form the end result of quite a few fits prefer it.

A authorized victory for KGM might set a landmark precedent, making tech firms answerable for designing addictive and dangerous merchandise.

In latest years, numerous research have discovered hyperlinks between younger peoples’ frequent use of social media and adverse psychological well being outcomes, reminiscent of nervousness and despair.

Meta, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, can be on trial in a separate case in New Mexico, during which plaintiffs accuse the corporate of exposing minors to sexual materials and fostering a “breeding ground” for sexual predators. The firm has denied the costs and has accused prosecutors of adopting “sensationalist” ways.

Paul Schmidt, Meta’s attorney, has argued that the plaintiff sought out social media platforms to cope with pre-existing mental health struggles — Paul Schmidt, Meta’s legal professional, has argued that the plaintiff sought out social media platforms to deal with pre-existing psychological well being struggles (AFP through Getty)

Zuckerberg has appeared earlier than Congress to testify on what influence his platforms — that are utilized by billions of individuals worldwide — have on youth psychological well being.

In January 2024, Zuckerberg attended a Capitol Hill listening to on social media’s harms, the place lawmakers blasted him and different tech CEOs for failing to adequately handle points together with dependancy, psychological well being crises, bullying and sexual predators.

During the televised listening to, youngsters and fogeys supplied testimony describing how younger folks have been exploited on social media platforms. Demonstrators silently stood behind Zuckerberg, holding up photos of their useless youngsters.

During his congressional testimony in 2024, Zuckerberg was confronted by family members of victims who died following sexual exploitation or harassment on social media — During his congressional testimony in 2024, Zuckerberg was confronted by relations of victims who died following sexual exploitation or harassment on social media (AFP through Getty)

At one level, Republican Senator Josh Hawley requested Zuckerberg if he want to apologize to the households of victims seated within the room.

“I’m sorry for everything you have all been through,” the Meta CEO mentioned, whereas turning to face them. “No one should go through the things that your families have suffered.” He famous that the corporate has invested in “industrywide efforts” to safeguard youngsters.

In latest years, Meta has applied a number of baby security measures, together with age restrictions and parental controls.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/mark-zuckerberg-testimony-social-media-addiction-b2922891.html