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

Summary

• Meta, Google, & TikTok filed lawsuits against California Attorney General Rob Bonta to block AB 1709, a law restricting social media features for users under 16.
• Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1709 into law in September, with implementation scheduled for the start of the new year.
• The law prohibits autoplay videos & personalized feeds for users under 16 & requires platforms to delete accounts if these features are not disabled.
• Non-compliance with the law could result in fines of up to $50,000 per affected user under 16 years old.
• Meta, TikTok, & Google argue the law violates the First Amendment by overriding editorial decisions & that Section 230 preempts the legislation.
• Digital safety experts & the EFF warn that age verification requirements could compromise privacy for all users & concentrate power in tech companies.
• Critics state the law cuts young people off from essential information & silences voices involved in digital activism.
• Meta faces a separate $18 billion settlement regarding children's safety claims from 29 U.S. states.
• Australia banned social media for users under 16 in December 2025, while France passed a similar law that was struck down by its top court.
• Platforms argue the law interferes with parental controls, noting Google already disables autoplay for minors by default & allows parents to block Shorts.
• Attorney General Bonta's office is reviewing the filings & remains committed to defending the law.