Former Meta engineer says Instagram took a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach on kids under 13
- Former Meta engineering director Arturo Bejar testified in federal court in Oakland that Instagram took a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to users under 13.
- Bejar said Meta prioritized engagement and profits over safety, focusing on how often and how long people used its products.
- The trial pits Meta against California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey in a case expected to last about six weeks.
- The states allege Meta designed addictive features that harmed young users' mental health and collected data on children under 13 without parental consent.
- Meta says users must be at least 13 and rejects the lawsuit's claims, saying the evidence will show its commitment to safety.
A former Meta engineering director testified Wednesday that Instagram handled children under 13 with a "don't ask, don't tell" approach, adding to a federal trial in Oakland focused on child safety and privacy on Meta's platforms. Arturo Bejar, who has testified before Congress on Instagram safety, said the company put engagement and revenue ahead of user well-being.
The case is being heard in federal court in Oakland, California, with Meta facing claims from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey. The states say Meta knowingly designed features that could addict young users and contributed to youth mental health problems, while also collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent.
Meta denies the allegations and says its platforms require users to be at least 13, in line with federal law. For markets, the case is a potential negative overhang for Meta stock because it adds legal and regulatory risk, while the broader impact on stocks, crypto, gold and foreign exchange appears limited based on the information reported.
前 Meta 工程师称 Instagram 对 13 岁以下儿童采取了“睁一只眼闭一只眼”的做法
一名前 Meta 工程主管周三在奥克兰的联邦庭审中作证称，Instagram 对 13 岁以下儿童采取了“睁一只眼闭一只眼”的处理方式。这起案件聚焦 Meta 平台上的儿童安全与隐私问题，作证者 Arturo Bejar 过去也曾就 Instagram 安全问题向国会作证，他表示公司把参与度和收入放在了用户福祉之前。
这起案件在加利福尼亚州奥克兰的联邦法院审理，Meta 面对来自加利福尼亚、科罗拉多、肯塔基和新泽西四个州的指控。四州称，Meta 明知故意设计可能使年轻用户上瘾的功能，并助长青少年心理健康问题，同时还在未获家长同意的情况下收集 13 岁以下儿童的数据。
Meta 否认这些指控，并表示其平台要求用户必须年满 13 岁，这符合联邦法律。就市场影响而言，这类诉讼通常会增加 Meta 的法律和监管风险，对 Meta 股价构成潜在利空；就报道本身看，对加密货币、黄金或外汇市场的直接影响有限，整体偏中性。