Meta, Google, and TikTok have initiated legal action against California Attorney General Rob Bonta to challenge a new state law, AB 1709, which aims to restrict certain social media features for users under the age of 16. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September and set to take effect next year, the law bans autoplay videos and personalized content feeds for minors, and mandates deletion of accounts if these features remain active. Non-compliance could result in fines reaching $50,000 per affected minor.

The companies argue that AB 1709 infringes on their First Amendment rights by limiting their editorial control over content presentation, and claim that Section 230 preempts the law. Meta highlighted that the regulation would significantly impact how it delivers personalized content and could force deletion of minors' accounts unless it alters its core functions. TikTok echoed concerns that the law imposes unconstitutional restrictions on free expression and undermines established content curation practices shared across various media.

Critics, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, warn that the legislation might inadvertently intrude on users’ privacy by requiring more extensive age verification processes, possibly exposing all platform users to increased data collection. They also emphasize that restricting social media access for young people could silence vital youth-led activism, citing examples such as the March for Our Lives campaign and Greta Thunberg’s environmental advocacy.

This lawsuit adds to ongoing global debates and legal battles over regulating social media use among teens, following similar measures in countries like Australia and France, though some have faced judicial setbacks. Google and Meta both underscored the importance of parental controls already offered on their platforms, arguing that broad laws like AB 1709 undermine these tailored protections. Meanwhile, California’s Attorney General’s office has confirmed its commitment to defending the law as a means to protect children online.