Meta Halts Law Firm Adverts Seeking Social Media Addiction Claimants

Meta has confirmed it is actively removing adverts from its social media platforms that recruit individuals for potential lawsuits concerning social media addiction. The company stated its position firmly: "We will not allow trial lawyers to profit from our platforms while simultaneously claiming they are harmful."

Legal Backlash and Company Response

This decision follows two notable losses for Meta in the US. In New Mexico, Meta was ordered to pay $375 million (£279 million) for misleading users about platform safety for children. Separately, a landmark trial in California resulted in a $6 million (£4.5 million) award to a woman for childhood social media addiction, with Meta liable for 70% of the damages.

Emily Jeffcott, an attorney for Morgan & Morgan, one of the firms affected by Meta's removal policy, criticised the move. She described it as "another example of Meta trying to control the narrative and avoid accountability," suggesting resources would be better spent on improving user safety and tackling problematic use rather than blocking adverts. Despite Meta's actions, some adverts from firms like Morgan & Morgan still appeared active on its Ad Library as of Friday.

Meta's advertising standards permit the removal of ads that negatively impact its relationship with users or contradict its competitive interests or advertising philosophy. The company plans to appeal both recent verdicts, maintaining its disagreement with the outcomes.