Former Meta executive Arturo Bejar has made serious allegations against the company during a high-profile trial. Testifying in court on Wednesday, Bejar claimed that under CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Meta developed a corporate culture that placed growth and user engagement ahead of child safety on Facebook and Instagram.
Bejar, a longtime critic of Meta’s online safety policies, made several claims about the company’s internal decision-making and approach to safety during the second day of his testimony.
The case was brought by a coalition of U.S. states, which alleges that Facebook and Instagram were designed to keep young users engaged for longer periods while failing to adequately address the potential risks associated with their use.
States Make Serious Allegations Against Meta
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are among the states accusing Meta of creating products that could increase the risks of anxiety, depression and other mental and social problems among young users.
Another 25 states have also accused Meta of improperly collecting and using the personal information of children under the age of 13. The states argue that such practices could violate federal law.
Legal experts consider the case one of the most significant legal challenges yet concerning the impact of social media on children and teenagers.
The trial began in federal court in Oakland, California, and is expected to continue for around six weeks.
The jury is expected to issue an advisory verdict, while U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will ultimately decide whether Meta is legally responsible. If the company is found liable, the court could impose civil penalties and order changes to Facebook and Instagram.
Bejar Claims Zuckerberg Had Significant Influence Over Company Decisions
During his testimony, Bejar said Zuckerberg was directly involved in many important decisions at Meta. According to Bejar, the company’s top-down management structure meant major product changes often required direction from senior leadership.
Bejar told the court that when Zuckerberg makes an issue a priority, Meta can move quickly to act on it.
He also referred to comments Zuckerberg made in October 2021 following allegations from whistleblower Frances Haugen.
Haugen had alleged that Meta was aware of safety risks affecting children and teenagers and knew about potential ways to address those problems. She claimed the company did not make sufficient changes because of concerns about profitability.
Zuckerberg disputed those allegations at the time and said Meta continuously used research to improve its products.
According to Bejar, he later contacted Zuckerberg directly to raise concerns about child safety.
Bejar Describes His Daughter’s Experience
Bejar worked at Meta from 2009 to 2015. He later returned to the company as an independent contractor between 2019 and 2021, where he examined issues related to the well-being of teenage Instagram users.
In 2023, he also testified before a U.S. Senate committee, saying Meta was aware of harassment and other potential problems affecting teenagers but failed to take adequate action.
During cross-examination, Meta attorney Brian Stekloff questioned Bejar about his own daughter’s experience on Instagram.
Bejar said his daughter wanted to create an Instagram community where women could discuss cars. However, he said she later encountered misogynistic comments and offensive remarks about her body.
When Bejar contacted Zuckerberg about the issue in 2021, his daughter was 16 years old.
He told the court that he closely observed the impact the experience had on his daughter.
Meta’s Safety Efforts Also Come Under Scrutiny
During cross-examination, Bejar acknowledged that Meta employs hundreds of people dedicated to safety-related work and that many of them are experienced and highly qualified.
He also acknowledged that he did not work directly with Zuckerberg during his second period at the company.
Additionally, his position as an independent contractor meant he did not have access to some of Meta’s internal resources.
Meta’s legal team could use these points to challenge Bejar’s claims and his understanding of the company’s broader safety practices.
Bejar Accuses Meta of Prioritizing Engagement Over Safety
In his testimony to attorneys representing the states, Bejar alleged that Meta placed user engagement and profits ahead of safety.
He also criticized a feature designed to encourage users to take breaks from social media.
According to Bejar, the feature was ineffective because it was not enabled by default and users could easily dismiss its reminders.
He further claimed that it was widely understood within Meta that most parents did not have enough time to fully understand the company’s products or how their children were using them.
Bejar also alleged that Meta had technology capable of identifying potentially underage users but did not use it broadly because doing so could negatively affect future revenue.
Former Meta Researcher Testifies After Bejar
After Bejar completed his testimony, jurors heard recorded testimony from Elena Davis, a former Meta researcher.
Davis studied the potential addictive effects of social media. Her research examined how Facebook could potentially be redesigned to reduce compulsive usage and help users gain better control over their social media habits.
Her testimony could support the states’ argument that Meta was aware of potential risks associated with its platforms and had opportunities to reduce those risks.
Meta Faces Thousands of Child Safety Lawsuits
The trial is part of a much broader legal battle facing Meta.
The company is currently dealing with thousands of lawsuits related to the alleged effects of its social media platforms on children and teenagers.
Bejar has previously served as a key witness against Meta in four separate trials.
In a major case brought by New Mexico, Meta faced a judgment involving $942 million in damages and penalties. The company was also ordered to make changes to its platforms within the state.
What Could the Trial Mean for Meta?
The potential impact of the case could extend beyond financial penalties.
If Meta is found liable, the company could be required to make changes to how Facebook and Instagram operate. These changes could involve protections for minors, safety features and data collection practices.
The case also raises a broader question for the social media industry: How should technology companies balance user growth, engagement and revenue with child safety?
Meta has faced criticism for years over the potential impact of its platforms on young users. However, the company maintains that it invests heavily in safety and continues to improve its products.
Final Thoughts
Arturo Bejar’s testimony has put Meta’s internal decision-making and child safety policies at the center of the trial.
According to Bejar’s allegations, growth and user engagement may have received greater priority within Meta than safety concerns. Meta’s legal team, meanwhile, has highlighted the company’s large safety workforce and investment in safety while questioning the extent of Bejar’s experience and role within the company.
The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks. Additional testimony and evidence could play a major role in determining how the court views Meta’s responsibility for the alleged harm affecting young users.
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