Meta Lobbying California to Shield Platforms From Child-Harm Laws

Meta is actively lobbying California legislators to exempt social media companies from proposed legislation that would ramp up penalties in child-harm cases. The push comes at a particularly awkward time for the company.

Meta currently faces hundreds of lawsuits alleging it failed to adequately protect children on its platforms. Now it wants lawmakers to ensure tougher child-safety penalties don't apply to companies like itself.

The lobbying effort targets legislation specifically designed to increase consequences when children are harmed — and Meta wants social media platforms carved out entirely.

It's a bold move. The company is essentially asking for legal shelter while simultaneously defending itself against a mountain of litigation over the exact same issue. California lawmakers now face pressure from one of the state's biggest tech players to water down protections aimed at kids.