Meta, Google and TikTok have each filed lawsuits against California Attorney General Rob Bonta, trying to block a state law that restricts social media features the state calls addictive for users under 16.

What the law does

  • AB 1709, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2026, takes effect at the start of the new year
  • It bans autoplay videos and personalised feeds for users under 16
  • Platforms must delete under-16 accounts if they do not turn those features off

Why the companies are suing

  • The companies argue the law goes too far in restricting how their platforms work for teenagers
  • The lawsuits were filed on 5 November 2026, according to TechCrunch
  • The case follows a wider crackdown on teen social media use: in December 2025, Australia became the first country to ban social media for users under 16 altogether

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