India, Aug. 19 -- Meta is confronting one of its most significant courtroom battles to date over how Facebook and Instagram are designed and used by children and teenagers, as a jury trial brought by 29 US states begins in California.

Opening statements started on 18 August in a federal court in Oakland after jurors were selected earlier this month. At the heart of the case are claims that Meta intentionally built features meant to maximise the time young users spend on its platforms, while not doing enough to shield them from potential harm. The states also argue that the company gathered data from children under 13 without securing the parental approval required under US privacy regulations.

Beyond possible financial penalties, the la...