Tech Giants Challenge California Child Safety Law in Federal Court

Three major technology companies filed federal lawsuits on Thursday to block a California law that restricts how social media platforms serve content to children. The companies, Google, Meta, and TikTok, argue that the state's new rules violate their constitutional rights and existing federal protections.

The law was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September. It takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The measure prohibits tech firms from showing addictive feeds, endless scrolling, and autoplay videos to users under 16. Platforms must also verify user ages to ensure younger users do not access these features.

The lawsuits were filed in federal courts in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose. Each company claims the law conflicts with the First Amendment. They also argue it violates Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. That federal statute currently shields companies from liability for content posted by third parties on their platforms.

This legal challenge follows recent settlements in other jurisdictions. In August, Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion to strengthen child safety measures on Facebook and Instagram. That deal ended a trial involving claims from nearly every state. In September, TikTok reached a settlement with Alabama regarding addictive features on its app.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office is the defendant in all three cases. His office said it is reviewing the filings and remains committed to defending state laws that protect children online. The lawsuits join a wave of scrutiny from schools, governments, and private plaintiffs over the impact of social media on young users.

TikTok described the law as a restriction on free expression. The company stated that it has already implemented safety measures and that the new rule limits free speech and parental choice. Meta said the law forces the government to dictate how ideas are organized and shared. The company warned that it might have to remove age-appropriate features or cut off thousands of California teens from their communities.

Google stated that parents are best positioned to make decisions for their families. The company offers various parental control tools. Spokesman José Castañeda said overly broad laws can break the systems companies have built to help kids find high-quality, age-appropriate videos.