Former Meta Engineer Testifies Mark Zuckerberg Prioritized Growth Over Child Safety in Landmark Trial
A landmark trial against Meta Platforms is underway, with former Meta engineering director Arturo Bejar testifying that CEO Mark Zuckerberg fostered a company culture that prioritized growth and engagement over child safety on Facebook and Instagram. Bejar, a vocal critic of Meta’s safety record, stated that Zuckerberg was deeply involved in decision-making and that product design changes only occurred if he ordered them. He disputed Zuckerberg's 2021 claims that Meta constantly used research to improve its products, asserting that Meta had a 'don’t ask, don’t tell' policy regarding child safety to protect profits. The trial, brought by a coalition of states including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, alleges that Meta designed its platforms to addict young users, leading to anxiety, depression, and suicide, and improperly collected personal data from children under 13. Bejar, who worked at Meta from 2009 to 2015 and as an independent contractor from 2019 to 2021, previously testified before ... 
