Brazilian consumer rights group, the Collective Defense Institute, has filed two lawsuits against Meta, TikTok, and Kwai, a Chinese short video platform, seeking damages of 3 billion reais ($525.8 million). The lawsuits, reported by Reuters, are the latest in a long line of complaints against the companies for allegedly failing to protect minors and limit their use on the platforms.
The suits draw on existing research highlighting the risks of social media use, particularly for minors. They demand that Meta and its partners issue clear warnings about the potential harm of platform addiction on mental health, as well as implement detailed data protection mechanisms. The plaintiffs argue that the companies must adopt measures to safeguard minors, including altering their algorithms, processing user data more securely, and supervising teenage accounts.
Lillian Salgado, a lawyer and plaintiff, emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating that it is essential to ensure a safer, healthier experience for minors, similar to those in developed countries. This is not the first time Meta or TikTok have faced lawsuits over the safety of minors. In 2023, New Mexico sued Meta for allegedly failing to protect children, citing claims that Facebook and Instagram suggested sexual content to minors.
Internal Meta documents revealed that over 100,000 child users faced daily harassment in 2021, yet executives rejected recommendations to redesign the algorithm. Earlier this month, 14 attorneys general sued TikTok for misrepresenting the safety of its platform for young people. These are just a few examples of the numerous suits filed against social media platforms for their handling of young users.
Meta has introduced teen accounts on Instagram, which are mandatory for users under 16 and feature stricter privacy settings, requiring parental approval for any changes. However, these accounts are not yet available in Brazil, although Meta claims they will be rolled out soon. In response to the lawsuits, a Meta spokesperson stated that the company aims to provide safe, age-appropriate experiences for young people and has been working on these issues for over a decade, developing over 50 tools, resources, and features to support teens and their guardians.
The move comes as Brazil continues to scrutinize social media giants, including a recent dispute with Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) over election misinformation. The company was fined 28 million reais ($4.9 million) for refusing to block profiles deemed to be promoting misinformation.
