Big Tech Sues California Over New Child Safety Mandate

Three major technology companies are challenging a California statute that restricts how social media platforms design their interfaces for young users. Google, Meta, and TikTok each filed separate lawsuits in federal court this week. The companies argue the law infringes on their First Amendment rights and violates federal protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

The state law took effect on January 1, 2027. It prohibits platforms from showing users under 16 addictive feeds, endless scrolling, or autoplayed videos. The statute also requires companies to verify ages to ensure younger users cannot access these features. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law in September.

The legal battles began with filings in three different California jurisdictions. Google and Meta submitted their complaints in San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively. TikTok filed in San Jose. All three defendants face the office of Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bonta’s office stated Thursday that it is reviewing the filings and remains committed to defending the state's online safety laws.

This litigation follows a period of intense legal scrutiny regarding teen mental health. In August, Meta reached a settlement of up to $18 billion to resolve claims from nearly every state. That deal ended a trial concerning teen addiction and required stronger child-safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. In September, TikTok settled a separate case with Alabama over its addictive design features.

TikTok characterized the California law as a restriction on free expression. The company claimed it erodes the standard practice of curating content based on user preferences. TikTok said it has already implemented safety measures and argued the new law limits free speech while taking decision-making power away from parents.

Meta contended that the government is dictating how ideas are organized and shared. The company warned that compliance might force it to remove age-appropriate features or exclude thousands of California teens from their social communities. Google’s spokesman José Castañeda said the law is overly broad. He stated that such rules break the systems designed to help kids find high-quality, age-appropriate videos, while noting that Google offers various parental control tools.