Google, Meta Platforms and TikTok have filed separate lawsuits seeking to block a new California law aimed at protecting users under 16 from online addiction. Known as Assembly Bill 1709, the law bars platforms from offering features it describes as “psychologically exploitative” that could lead to compulsive use, including personalized recommendations and video autoplay. It also requires platforms to delete accounts belonging to children who use these features.
The companies argue that the law is unconstitutional because it violates First Amendment protections for free speech and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They say California is improperly forcing platforms to present content in the way the state prefers, overriding the judgment of parents and the companies’ own editorial discretion.