Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has denied allegations from US prosecutors that his company concealed negative information from the public. Mr Mosseri testified in a California courtroom on Tuesday, stating: “I am not trying to encourage my team to hide anything.”
Mr Mosseri is the first top executive from Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, to testify in a lawsuit brought by 29 US states. The trial, taking place in federal court in Oakland, California, began last week.
Prosecutors questioned Mr Mosseri regarding the disclosure of user numbers for Instagram's teen safety features. Jason Slothouber, a prosecutor for Colorado, highlighted that only 1.8% of teens signed up for the 'Take a Break' tool, and questioned why Mr Mosseri had not publicly disclosed this figure. Mr Mosseri responded that he had publicly stated opt-in rates were low, but was unsure if he had given specific numbers.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta deliberately designed addictive products that have led to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicide, among young people. The states also claim the company collected data on children under 13 without parental consent.