Meta, Google and TikTok sue California AG to block teen social media law

Three tech giants filed separate federal lawsuits against Rob Bonta to stop AB 1709 from banning autoplay and personalized feeds for users under 16 Meta, Google and TikTok have each sued California Attorney General Rob Bonta. All three want to stop a new state law that targets social media features California considers addictive for users under 16. The law, AB 1709, is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. That leaves the companies a short window to persuade a federal judge to hit pause before the rules start biting. What AB 1709 actually does The law goes after two features that define the modern social feed: autoplay video and personalized recommendations. Under AB 1709, platforms can’t offer either one to users under 16. The law has an enforcement mechanism with real teeth. If an under-16 user’s account still has those features switched on, platforms must delete the account. Platforms are also required to implement age verification measures for users under 16. The goal is to keep younger users away from the restricted features in the first place. Then there’s the money. AB 1709 imposes civil penalties of up to $50,000 per minor affected for knowing violations. Governor Ga...