Meta’s Most Controversial Lawsuits in Recent Years

The Storm Around Meta: Meta, parent of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has faced an avalanche of lawsuits in recent years. From data privacy breaches to allegations of harming children, these legal battles have not only cost billions but also sparked debates about the responsibilities of tech giants in shaping our digital lives.

Cambridge Analytica Fallout: The Cambridge Analytica scandal continues to haunt Meta. In 2025, the company agreed to a record $725 million settlement for mishandling user data. Millions of Americans are finally receiving payouts, but critics argue the financial penalties still fall short of addressing the long-term trust deficit and systemic privacy risks.

Antitrust Showdown: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and 46 states have accused Meta of crushing competition by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp. The high-profile antitrust trial began in 2025. Regulators argue these moves were ‘buy-or-bury’ tactics, while Meta insists competition remains fierce with rivals like TikTok, YouTube, and Elon Musk’s X.

Targeting Teens’ Mental Health: State attorneys general across the U.S. are suing Meta for knowingly designing addictive features on Instagram and Facebook. They claim infinite scroll, likes, and notifications harm adolescents’ mental health. Leaked internal research suggests Meta was aware of the risks but prioritized engagement and profits, deepening scrutiny over youth protection.

Virtual Reality Under Fire: Whistleblowers have accused Meta of putting profits over children’s safety in its virtual reality platforms. Reports submitted to Congress allege the company ignored research highlighting risks of sexual exploitation and abuse in VR spaces. Meta denies wrongdoing, but the testimonies intensified debates about safeguarding vulnerable users in immersive technologies.

WhatsApp Security Bombshell: In 2025, a former WhatsApp executive sued Meta, claiming the app suffers from massive daily security lapses that expose hundreds of thousands of accounts. He alleged Meta violated earlier FTC agreements on user safety. The company dismissed the claims as retaliation, but the case has revived questions about encryption integrity.

A Company Under Siege: From billion-dollar privacy settlements and monopoly trials to lawsuits over youth safety, violent content, and AI copyright disputes, Meta remains in a storm of controversy. Each case exposes how deeply technology influences society, and how fragile public trust can be when digital power collides with accountability and global regulation.

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