Washington Takes Aim at Meta for Violating Consumer Protection Laws

COUNT LII: DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES IN VIOLATION OF THE WASHINGTON CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, WASH. REV. CODE § 19.86.020

1157. Washington realleges and incorporates herein by reference each of the allegations contained in the preceding paragraph 1 through 850 as though fully alleged in this cause of action.

1158. Meta engaged in deceptive acts or practices affecting Washington consumers, including young users, parents of young users, and Meta advertisers, and in violation of Wash. Rev. Code. § 19.86.020 by making representations, directly or indirectly, expressly or by implication, regarding its Social Media Platforms, including but not limited to the following: (a) that Meta’s Social Media Platforms are not psychologically or physically harmful for young users and children and are not designed to induce compulsive and extended use by young users and children; (b) that Meta’s Social Media Platforms are not addictive and/or are unlikely to result in psychological or physical harm for young users and children; (c) that the incidence or prevalence of negative or harmful user experiences on Meta’s Social Media Platforms is lower than it actually is; (d) that Meta prioritized young users’ and children’s health and safety over maximizing profits; (e) that Meta does not allow the promotion of harmful material on its Social Media Platforms; (f) that under-13 users are effectively excluded by Meta from using Instagram and/or Facebook; (g) that Meta’s collection of user data was not for the purpose of increasing users’ use of the Social Media Platforms; and (h) other deceptive representations.

1159. Meta’s conduct as described herein occurred in trade or commerce within the meaning of the Washington Consumer Protection Act, Wash. Rev. Code. § 19.86.010(2), directly or indirectly affecting the people of the State of Washington.

1160. Meta’s deceptive acts or practices affected the public interest in that they impacted numerous Washington consumers and other consumers.

1161. Meta’s deceptive acts or practices are likely to continue without relief from this Court.

1162. Based on the above deceptive acts or practices, the State of Washington is entitled to relief under the Washington Consumer Protection Act including injunctive relief and restitution pursuant to Wash. Rev. Code. § 19.86.080, civil penalties pursuant to Wash. Rev. Code. § 19.86.140 for each and every violation of Wash. Rev. Code. § 19.86.020, and reimbursement of the costs of this action, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, pursuant to Wash. Rev. Code. § 19.86.080.