Meta in the Legal Crosshairs: Ohio Alleges Violations of Consumer Sales Practices Act

COUNT XLII: VIOLATIONS OF OHIO CONSUMER SALES PRACTICES ACT – UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES - OHIO REVISED CODE § 1345.02

1095. Ohio realleges and incorporates herein by reference each of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraphs 1 through 850 as though fully alleged in this cause of action.

1096. Meta and each Defendant are “suppliers,” as they engaged in the business of effecting “consumer transactions” by soliciting “consumers” either directly or indirectly for services, including access to Meta’s Social Media Platforms in exchange for users’ personal data and time, for a purpose that was primarily for personal, family, or household use, as those terms are defined by Ohio Rev. Code §1345.01(A), (C), and (D).

1097. In numerous instances in connection with the advertising, marketing, promotion, and other representations regarding its products, including through the means described in Section XI, paragraphs 846 through 850, Meta committed unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA), Ohio Rev. Code §1345.02(A), by making the deceptive representations, directly or indirectly, expressly or by implication, with the intent that consumers rely on the deceptive representations, including, but not limited to, the representations outlined in Section XI, paragraphs 846 through 850.

1098. Further, Meta committed unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of the CSPA, Ohio Rev. Code §1345.02(A), by engaging in unfair acts and omissions that caused young users’ compulsive and unhealthy use of, and addiction to, Meta’s Social Media Platforms. At all relevant times, Meta had a thorough understanding of the mental and physical harms and addiction suffered by young users of its Platforms. Instead of taking adequate measures to mitigate these damaging effects, Meta knowingly persisted in exploiting young users’ psychological vulnerabilities. Meta’s acts and omissions constitute knowing decisions causing unnecessary and unjustified harm to young users for Meta’s financial gain. Meta’s unfair acts include, but are not limited to, the acts outlined in Section XI, paragraphs 846 through 850.

1099. Each unfair or deceptive act or practice engaged in by Meta as recited above constitutes a separate violation of the CSPA.

1100. The acts or practices described above have been previously determined by Ohio courts to violate the CSPA, Ohio Rev. Code §1345.01 et seq. Meta committed said violations after such decisions were made available for public inspection pursuant to Ohio Rev. Code §1345.05(A)(3).