Major tech platforms challenge California youth protection rules in court

Meta, Google, and TikTok have filed separate lawsuits against California Attorney General Rob Bonta to halt Assembly Bill 1709, a state statute scheduled to take effect at the beginning of the new year. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September, the measure bars social platforms from serving autoplay videos and algorithmic recommendation feeds to users under 16 years old. Companies that fail to disable these features or delete noncompliant minor accounts face statutory penalties reaching $50,000 per affected minor. [1][2]

The tech companies argue the statute infringes on their First Amendment rights by overriding editorial control over how they present content, while also contending that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act preempts state action. Google noted that autoplay on YouTube is already disabled for minors by default and that existing parental controls let families turn off Shorts, arguing the mandate disrupts family oversight. Digital rights advocates including the Electronic Frontier Foundation also criticized the measure, warning that age verification requirements will force platforms to collect broader personal data and compromise user privacy. [1][2]

Attorney General Bonta's office said it is reviewing the filings and will defend the state's rules. The legal clash comes as tech companies face thousands of addiction claims from cities and school districts, alongside a recent settlement of up to $18 billion agreed to by Meta to resolve child safety litigation brought by 29 states. [1][2]