Google, Meta Platforms and TikTok have filed separate federal lawsuits seeking to block California’s Assembly Bill 1709, a law aimed at protecting minors from addictive social media features. It bars platforms from offering features it calls “psychologically exploitative,” including algorithmic recommendations and autoplay videos, to users under 16. The law is set to take effect in January 2027.
The companies argue that the law violates their First Amendment rights by allowing the state to control how they display content. They also say it infringes on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and improperly replaces parents’ judgment with the state’s. The lawsuits add to tensions between the tech industry and governments seeking to regulate the effects of digital platforms on children’s mental health.