US Court Rejects Meta, Google, TikTok 'Lawsuit Immunity' Claims

A US appeals court has rejected Meta Platforms, Google, and TikTok's claims of 'lawsuit immunity' in a case involving allegations that their platforms are addictive.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the companies cannot appeal the lower court's decision allowing more than 3,000 lawsuits to proceed in federal court.

The suits were filed by US school districts, municipalities, states, and individuals who claim the platforms intentionally hooked younger users, contributing to soaring rates of anxiety, depression, and body-image issues.

Meta argued that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields them from liability over content posted on their platforms, but the Ninth Circuit disagreed, ruling that the law offers a defence to liability, not blanket immunity from being sued.