Sep 26, 2026
A jury in Santa Fe, New Mexico found Meta Platforms' Facebook liable on Friday for misleading users about privacy protections on the platform, with the verdict involving over 43 million violations of consumer protection law. The case arose from allegations related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and Meta could face over $200 billion in penalties when a judge determines damages.
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed a lawsuit against Trump Media & Technology Group over its "Truth API" program, which charges subscribers $100,000 per month for early access to President Trump's and other officials' posts on Truth Social before they become publicly available.
Texas District Judge Cory Liu ruled Thursday that TikTok violated the state's consumer protection laws by misleading the public about its ability to filter inappropriate and sexually-explicit content for minor users. The ruling found that TikTok's claims about its content-moderation policies and 'Restricted Mode' feature were deceptive.
The Australian government announced draft legislation called 'My Feed, My Way' that would require social media platforms to give users the option to switch off personalized algorithmic content recommendations. The proposed Digital Duty of Care laws also target harmful content and addictive platform designs.
The US Commerce Department's Center for AI Standards announced early access to three major AI models in May, while California lawmakers advance legislation to regulate AI and social media. The regulatory push has been compared to the chaotic early days of the Covid pandemic.
The European Commission has designated ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as subject to the EU's strictest Digital Services Act regulations after they surpassed 45 million users. ChatGPT is classified as a search engine, marking the first time an AI chatbot has received this designation, while Reddit and Roblox are designated as Very Large Online Platforms. All three companies have four months to comply with the enhanced regulatory requirements.
Meta agreed to implement changes for minors on Instagram and Facebook, including cutting off access at night and during school hours. However, a whistleblower criticized the settlement as insufficient to meaningfully address harms to teen mental health.
Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and implement stronger child-safety measures on Facebook and Instagram as part of a landmark settlement with 48 US states. The settlement includes time limits for teen users and restrictions on addictive features.
Meta has agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion to settle claims from 29 state attorneys general alleging the company purposely designed Instagram and Facebook to be addictive to young people. The settlement represents one of the largest consumer protection actions against a tech company.
The Justice Department filed a court brief defending its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey for posting seashells arranged as '8647' on social media, which prosecutors say could be read as a threat against Trump.
A bipartisan coalition of 29 U.S. states began a landmark federal trial in Oakland, California, accusing Meta Platforms of intentionally designing Facebook and Instagram to addict children and harm young users' mental health. The case could potentially reshape the social media platforms.
Opening statements begin in federal court in Oakland, California, in a major multistate lawsuit against Meta alleging the company knowingly designed its platforms to be addictive to children. The trial is considered one of the most consequential of thousands of lawsuits Meta faces over child safety, with states seeking extensive financial damages.
France's Constitutional Council ruled against legislation that would have banned social media for children under 15, citing infringement on freedom of expression. The law, backed by President Emmanuel Macron and approved by lawmakers in July, was France's first attempt at such a ban in Europe.
Social media platforms Meta and TikTok have agreed to fact-check content about border crossings into Spain following a massive and deadly rush to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in late July. The agreement was announced by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen.
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people from Facebook and Instagram in the second phase of a landmark trial. The ruling brings Meta's total penalties in the case to over $1 billion and requires sweeping protections for teen users.
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million in the second phase of a landmark child safety lawsuit, adding to a $375 million penalty from March. The ruling requires Meta to address harms to young people on Instagram and Facebook and make platform changes.
The Senate Commerce Committee passed a version of the Kids Online Safety Act that includes the hallmark duty of care provision, which the House had previously stripped from its version, marking significant progress for the social media safety bill.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner filed civil penalty proceedings against Telegram seeking up to A$54.6 million ($38 million), alleging the platform failed to comply with removal notices for terrorism-related content.
A federal judge on July 14, 2026, blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a policy that would deny visas to and deport foreign nationals who study disinformation and hate speech on social media platforms.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to limit young children's access to social media across the EU's 27 member states, following recommendations from an expert panel that called for restricting access for those under 13 until tech companies prove their platforms are safe.
The Australian government announced it will double maximum penalties for social media platforms breaching its under-16 age ban to $99 million, after data showed seven in ten children remained active on platforms three months after the world-first law took effect. Experts warn the government must now shift to aggressive enforcement against tech giants.
House Energy and Commerce Committee leadership announced a bipartisan agreement on legislation requiring social media platforms to provide safeguards and tools for minors and parents, marking significant progress on a major policy issue.
German public broadcaster ZDF removed portions of a TV broadcast after Elon Musk initiated legal action over claims linking him to unrest in Belfast/Northern Ireland. The dispute has sparked major controversy across Germany.
India blocked the Telegram messaging app until June 22, citing its use to defraud candidates taking the national medical entrance examination (NEET). The restriction follows widespread protests and exam cancellations after allegations of paper leaks, sparking the viral 'Cockroach Janta Party' youth movement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 15, 2026, that the UK will ban social media platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X from offering services to children under 16. Experts and affected teenagers have raised concerns about enforcement challenges and the policy's effectiveness.
The Canadian government introduced digital safety legislation on Wednesday that would restrict social media access for children under 16, with exemptions for platforms meeting certain safety standards. The move follows Australia's enactment of the world's first social media ban for young people and comes ahead of next week's G7 summit.
The Trump administration has submitted a formal objection to the UK government's consultation on banning social media for under-16s, arguing such restrictions would impose a disproportionate burden on American technology companies. UK Tech Secretary Liz Kendall responded that Britain will not be swayed by the intervention and remains focused on British parents' concerns.
Malaysia's communications regulator has started enforcing new rules barring children under 16 from registering social media accounts, joining a growing global movement to protect minors from harmful online content.