Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., will not be held personally liable in lawsuits alleging that social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram contribute to addiction and mental health issues among young users, a federal judge ruled on Nov. 7.
Plaintiffs had sought to hold Zuckerberg personally responsible, alleging that he directed or participated in Meta’s concealment of information about the negative health effects of its platforms on young users.
However, the court found that the plaintiffs failed to provide sufficient allegations that Zuckerberg specifically directed or authorized the suppression of material information.
“Control of corporate activity alone is insufficient to establish personal liability,” Rogers wrote in her order.
“Plaintiffs’ allegations are not sufficient to plausibly allege that Zuckerberg directed the suppression of material information. Generalized allegations, even if compelling, are insufficient.”
Previously, the court had granted Zuckerberg’s first motion to dismiss but allowed plaintiffs the opportunity to amend their complaints. Despite filing an addendum with additional allegations, the court determined that the plaintiffs’ claims were still insufficient.
They pointed to instances in which Zuckerberg allegedly vetoed initiatives aimed at improving child safety, such as a proposed ban on filters simulating plastic surgery, despite support from experts and academic research favoring the ban.
However, Rogers ruled that these allegations did not demonstrate that Zuckerberg specifically directed or authorized the concealment of information.
The judge explained that under the laws of the 13 states involved in the litigation, a corporate officer can be held personally liable only if they specifically directed, authorized, or participated in the tortious conduct. General control over the company is not enough to establish personal liability, the judge said.
As a result, the claims against Zuckerberg have been dismissed. While the court acknowledged that discovery might reveal more active participation by Zuckerberg in Meta’s alleged concealment, it held that the current allegations do not meet the standard required for personal liability.
It is not immediately clear whether the plaintiffs plan to appeal the decision or pursue other legal avenues against Zuckerberg personally.
Meta Platforms Inc. did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling. The company is still facing ongoing litigation over its social media platforms’ alleged impact on adolescent mental health.
The ruling is part of a multidistrict proceeding consolidating hundreds of personal injury lawsuits on behalf of children and adolescents, school districts, local governments, and state attorneys general before the judge.
The plaintiffs claim that Facebook and Instagram, as well as other social media platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat, are designed to foster compulsive use by minors.
The lawsuits are part of a broader scrutiny of social media companies and their responsibility for the mental health of young users, with increasing attention from regulators, lawmakers, and the public.
