Technology · India Bureau
Former Meta Executive Reveals Teen Safety Tool Had Minimal Uptake
A former Meta employee has testified that an early safety mechanism designed to protect young users was rejected by approximately 99% of adolescent users. The disclosure emerged during a high-profile legal proceeding in which state attorneys general have alleged the social media giant prioritised profit over youth welfare.
LSN India ·
George Volichenko, a former staffer at Meta Platforms, provided testimony revealing that a safety tool intended for teenage users saw extraordinarily low adoption rates among its target demographic. The evidence surfaced during litigation that has positioned child safety at the centre of broader allegations against the technology company.
The trial centres on claims by a coalition of state attorneys general that Meta knowingly exploited young users to maximise engagement and revenue, allegedly disregarding documented harms to adolescent mental health and wellbeing. The low uptake of the company's safety mechanism has been cited as evidence contradicting Meta's defence strategy in the case.
Meta has built its defence partly on assertions that it provided young users with tools to manage their platform experience and protect themselves. However, Volichenko's testimony suggests such measures may have had limited practical impact if users declined to activate them.
The case represents one of the most significant regulatory challenges faced by Meta in recent years, reflecting growing scrutiny of social media platforms' responsibilities toward young users across multiple jurisdictions. The trial's outcome may influence how technology companies approach youth protection measures going forward.