Snap faces trial without settlement

Snap is preparing for its first trial in Los Angeles, where it will face allegations that its platform is designed to be addictive and harmful to users. Unlike previous cases where Snap settled before trials, this case is moving forward with jury selection beginning on Wednesday.

Trial timeline and key figures

The trial is expected to start on November 4 and last until mid-December. Key executives, including Snap’s Evan Spiegel and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify in mid-November, along with Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri.

Allegations and specific cases

Plaintiffs accuse social media platforms of designing their apps to create dependency, leading to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm. Two teenagers, S.J. from Illinois and K.D.B. from Mississippi, are central to the case, with S.J. now suing only Snap after settling with Meta.

Previous verdict and ongoing appeals

In March, a Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million to a woman who claimed Meta and YouTube’s negligence contributed to her mental health issues. The verdict was upheld in June by Judge Carolyn Kuhl, but the companies have appealed the decision.

Settlement strategies among platforms

YouTube and TikTok have taken different approaches to legal pressure. YouTube has settled with some plaintiffs, while TikTok has avoided trials by paying $100 million to Alabama. Meta has also settled in several cases but continues to defend itself against lawsuits, stating it will not abandon its legal position.

Regulatory pressure and industry response

Meta’s recent agreement with U.S. states, involving over $18 billion and new restrictions for teenagers on Instagram and Facebook, has increased pressure on competitors like TikTok, YouTube, and Snap to adopt similar measures. These efforts aim to address concerns about addictive design and deceptive practices.

Broader legal landscape

A separate federal case in Oakland brings together thousands of complaints from families and school districts. The four platforms paid $27 million in May to avoid an initial trial, but another district will face them in a jury trial in February 2027 unless a settlement is reached.