Meta, Google and TikTok have filed separate federal lawsuits against California Attorney General Rob Bonta, seeking to block a state law restricting social media features for users under 16. The legislation, known as Assembly Bill 1709, is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, and would prohibit features including personalized feeds and automatic video playback for younger users.
Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 10, 2026, AB 1709 requires platforms to disable prohibited features or delete affected accounts. Companies that knowingly violate the law could face civil penalties of up to $50,000 per affected minor.
Technology Companies Challenge Law on Free Speech Grounds
The three companies argue that AB 1709 violates the First Amendment by restricting how online platforms organize and distribute content. They also contend that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides certain legal protections for online platforms, preempts the state legislation.
Meta argued in its lawsuit that the restrictions interfere with its editorial decisions regarding personalized recommendations and autoplay functionality. The company said it would need to change these features or delete accounts belonging to users under 16.
TikTok similarly argued that personalized content recommendations are an established practice used across media industries, including television networks and streaming services. Google maintained that the legislation could interfere with existing parental controls and protections for younger YouTube users.
A Google spokesperson said autoplay is already disabled by default for minors on YouTube, while parents can restrict their children’s access to YouTube Shorts. The company argued that parents should retain authority over their children’s online experiences.
Privacy Advocates Question Age Verification Requirements
The legislation has also drawn criticism from digital rights organizations concerned about its potential effects on online privacy. The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that enforcing age restrictions could require platforms to collect additional personal information from users, including adults.
Rindala Alajaji, the organization’s associate director of state affairs, argued that additional age verification requirements could weaken online anonymity and increase the amount of personal data held by technology companies.
Alajaji also raised concerns about restricting teenagers’ access to online communities and political organizing. She cited youth-led movements, including March for Our Lives and climate activism, as examples of social media supporting civic participation.
California Prepares to Defend New Child Safety Law
California’s legislation follows similar efforts internationally to restrict social media access for younger users. Australia introduced a ban for users under 16 in December 2025, while France’s Constitutional Council struck down comparable legislation in August 2026 over freedom of expression concerns.
The legal challenges also come as major platforms face lawsuits alleging that their products contribute to compulsive usage and mental health problems among young people. Meta previously agreed to a settlement worth up to $18 billion involving child safety claims brought by 29 U.S. states.
A representative for Attorney General Bonta said his office was reviewing the lawsuits and intended to defend California’s child safety legislation. The courts have not yet ruled on the companies’ requests to block enforcement.
Featured image credits: Magnific.com
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