Google, Meta, TikTok Sue California Over Child-Safety Law

Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate federal lawsuits to block California AB 1709 before it takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The law prohibits addictive feeds, endless scrolling and autoplayed videos for users under 16. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it in September after Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal introduced it. The companies sued in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose. Attorney General Rob Bonta's office said it is reviewing the filings. WHAT'S CONTESTED: TikTok, Meta and Google say the law violates the First Amendment and Section 230 and takes away parents' rights. Meta's attorneys wrote that California's attempt to "appoint the State as the editor, curator and controller of online speech" violates the Constitution. TikTok called it "a blatantly unconstitutional restriction on free expression" and wrote that a parent who used Family Pairing, set a 30-minute daily screen-limit, enabled Restriction Mode and found a personalized For You feed appropriate "has no ability under California law to make that choice." Lowenthal said autoplay and other features are "harmful, full stop, and that they're not appropriate for the developing brain." Bonta's office said it is committed to defending state laws to protect kids online. SB 976, a similar law, is also challenged; the 9th Circuit is expected to hear arguments next spring.