Attorney General Jackley Ready for Meta Trial to Begin Tuesday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Contact: Tony Mangan, Communications Director, 605-773-6878   

PIERRE, S.D – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said a bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General will begin presenting its case Tuesday in its federal lawsuit against Meta. The coalition alleges the social media giant knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Facebook and Instagram that drive compulsive use of the platforms by children and teens, while falsely assuring parents and the public that its platforms were safe for young users.

“We have waited three years for this case to go to trial, and the state coalition is ready to present its case,” said Attorney General Jackley. “It is time to hold Meta accountable for designing a dangerous product that targeted children and then lying about it to parents, children, and officials.”

In October 2023, the Attorneys General filed suit against Meta following a multi-year nationwide investigation. The states allege Meta deliberately designed its platforms to exploit young users’ vulnerabilities, foster compulsive use, and maximize the time young people spend on Facebook and Instagram. The coalition also alleges Meta knew about harms to young children but deceived users, parents, and the public about the risks. The lawsuit further alleges Meta illegally collected personal information from children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

Meta has repeatedly tried to prevent the states’ case from reaching trial. In 2025, the Court rejected Meta’s attempt to dismiss key parts of the states’ case, allowing claims related to allegedly addictive platform design and Meta’s failure to warn young users and parents about known risks to move forward.

After the Court rejected Meta’s motion to rule in their favor without a trial in June 2026, the company asked a federal District Court and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the trial. Both Courts rejected that request, clearing the way for the Attorneys General to present their case at trial.

Opening statements begin Tuesday before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is expected to last six to eight weeks.

The states have asked the Court to hold Meta accountable, stop unlawful practices, and require the company to follow laws designed to protect children and consumers. They are also seeking monetary penalties and other relief available under federal and state law.

Attorney General offices of California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey lead the litigation with South Dakota and the other coalition states participating and providing support.

Other Attorneys General included in the lawsuit are from: Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

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