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Learning English from the News

Upper intermediate level

US states call for big changes to Instagram and Facebook as Meta trial begins

Episode 260819 / 19 Aug 2026

(Photo via Getty Images)

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The story

Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, has gone on trial, accused of breaking state and federal laws around child privacy. The trial is expected to last around six weeks.

The lawsuit has been filed by 29 US states, representing more than two thirds of the country's population. This is the largest of a number of lawsuits against Meta relating to child safety.

This trial may require a payout of $200 billion in damages from Meta if they lose the case and the court could also force the company to make changes to its products.

Meta denies the allegations saying that it removes child accounts and that it is taking steps to improve teenagers' wellbeing on their platforms.

News headlines 

US states take on Meta in pivotal trial over child social media addiction claims
The Guardian

Meta faces 'astronomical' consequences as legal fight reaches critical moment in California
CNBC

Zuckerberg faces potential reckoning in court over Instagram's effects on teens
The Washington Post

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Key words and phrases

pivotal
very significant, because other things depend on it

  • The designer played a pivotal role in the company's success.

astronomical
very large 

  • To buy a mansion like that must cost an astronomical amount of money.

reckoning
a judgement and its related consequences

  • The politician will face his reckoning on election day.

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Learning English from the News