Former Meta engineer says Instagram took a ’don’t ask, don’t tell’ approach on kids under 13
A former Meta engineering director testified in a landmark trial that the company knowingly ignored the presence of children under 13 on Instagram. The lawsuit alleges that Meta prioritized user engagement and profit over child safety and mental well-being.
Why it matters
This trial is a significant legal challenge regarding the responsibility of social media giants to protect minors and comply with privacy laws.
A former engineering director at Meta who has testified before Congress about child safety on Instagram told jurors Wednesday at a landmark trial that the company took a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach on kids under 13 on its platforms.
During his second day of testimony, Arturo Béjar said Meta consistently prioritised profits over safety in designing its products, focusing on how often and for how long people used them, even if it was detrimental to their mental well-being.
“If you step away from the product, they are not going to make any money,” he said.
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