Tech firms sue California over child safety law
The gist
Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits to block California's AB 1709, which takes effect Jan 1.
The suits test whether states can restrict how platforms design feeds for minors.
How it unfolded
- Aug 26, 2026Meta agreed to pay up to $17 billion in penalties to states over 10 years and change its platforms to be safer for minors, settling with California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey.
- Sep 10, 2026Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1709, saying California "will not stand by while unregulated technology puts our children at risk."
- Nov 4, 2026Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits to block AB 1709 — Google in federal court in San Jose, Meta in San Francisco and TikTok in Los Angeles.
Key terms
- First Amendment
- Constitutional provision barring Congress from restricting religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition rights.
Source: Wikipedia