Instagram chief Adam Mosseri denied encouraging employees to hide information about risks to children during testimony in a major Meta trial in California.
The case involves 29 US states that accuse Meta of putting user engagement ahead of child safety. The states claim Instagram and Facebook can harm young users and that Meta improperly collected data from children under 13.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Instagram chief Adam Mosseri denied encouraging employees to hide negative information about child safety. |
| Where | Federal court in Oakland, California |
| When | August 25, 2026 |
| Who is involved | Adam Mosseri, Meta, Instagram, 29 US states and lawyers representing the states. |
| Current status | The trial is continuing and is expected to run through much of September. |
| Why it matters | The case could affect Meta's legal liability, financial penalties and how its platforms protect young users. |
Mosseri Denies Hiding Instagram Safety Risks
Adam Mosseri appeared as a key witness in the trial involving Meta’s handling of child safety on Instagram and Facebook.
A lawyer for Colorado questioned Mosseri about whether Meta had a practice of removing negative information from internal presentations before senior executives saw it.
Mosseri rejected the suggestion. He said he has never encouraged his team to hide information from him.
He also said information about children’s safety should be accurate and supported by experts and reliable research.
Four states, California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey, have made claims involving anxiety, depression and suicide.
The states also accuse Meta of violating federal law by collecting and using personal information from children under 13.
The states could seek nearly $200 billion in civil penalties if their claims succeed.
Mosseri also discussed changes Meta made after the 2021 disclosure of internal company research by Frances Haugen.
He said Meta restricted access to some sensitive research involving teenagers. Access was limited to employees working directly on those projects.
Another important development came from Francesco Fogu, Instagram’s director of product design.
Fogu testified about a 2023 presentation prepared for Instagram leadership. During questioning, he acknowledged that data was removed from one slide.
Meta Faces Major Child Safety Consequences
The case could have major consequences for Meta.
If the court finds Meta liable, the company could face substantial financial penalties and possible changes to Facebook and Instagram.
The case also puts internal safety research under close examination. Evidence about how companies collect, present and act on safety data could become important in future social media lawsuits.
For parents and young users, the case highlights continuing concerns about how social media companies manage online safety.
