Meta, Google and TikTok sue California AG over AB 1709 teen law

The companies' arguments

Meta argues that AB 1709 violates the First Amendment by overriding its editorial decisions about how content is displayed, and says Section 230 preempts the law. TikTok and Google make similar arguments. Meta wrote in its complaint that because it currently uses personalized recommendations and automatic playback, the act "would make it unlawful for Meta to disseminate speech to minors altogether" unless it changes those practices.

A TikTok spokesperson called the law "a blatantly unconstitutional restriction on free expression," comparing content curation to practices used by book stores, TV networks and streaming services. Google noted that autoplay on YouTube is off by default for minors and that parents can disable Shorts for their teens. It said overly broad laws "break the systems we've built" to help kids find age-appropriate videos.

Privacy concerns

Digital safety experts often warn that such laws can compromise everyone's privacy by requiring age verification that collects more data. Rindala Alajaji of the Electronic Frontier Foundation said AB 1709 "compels platforms to collect even more information from every user" and works as a functional ban for under-16s, cutting young people off from essential information. She cited the Parkland survivors' March for Our Lives and Greta Thunberg as examples of teen activism online.

The suits come as the companies face similar legal fights elsewhere. Meta agreed to a settlement of up to $18 billion to resolve children's safety claims from 29 U.S. states. Australia banned social media for under-16s in December 2025, while France's top court struck down a comparable law over free expression concerns.

Bonta's office said it is reviewing the filings and is committed to "defending California's commonsense laws to protect kids online."