The Global Story Meta and YouTube lose in a landmark trial
Mar 27, 2026
Marianna Spring, BBC social media investigations correspondent who probes algorithms and platform design, breaks down the LA verdict holding Meta and YouTube responsible. She discusses alleged addictive features like autoplay and infinite scroll. She outlines whistleblower revelations, the industry scramble over TikTok, and the wider legal and policy fallout.
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Court Rules Platforms Were Deliberately Addictive
- A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube deliberately engineered addictive features that harmed a young woman's mental health.
- The plaintiff Kaylee was awarded $6 million after evidence tied design elements to her diagnosed anxiety and depression.
Design Features, Not Just Content, Drove Harm
- The case focused on design features like filters, infinite scroll and autoplay as intentional engagement tools.
- Lawyers argued those features were introduced to keep users hooked despite foreseen harms, especially to young people.
Meaningful Interaction Metric Backfired
- Meta's pivot to 'meaningful social interaction' unintentionally amplified outrage because engagement-biased algorithms prioritise emotional, extreme posts.
- The change gave fringe voices disproportionate prominence compared with reputable outlets.