The three companies filed separate lawsuits against California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta in federal court, arguing that the law violates their rights under the First Amendment [2]. The law, known as Assembly Bill (AB) 1709, is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 [3].
The companies are each asking for temporary and permanent injunctions to stop the state from enforcing the law against them, according to court filings [3]. Unlike some prior challenges, the lawsuits do not seek to have the law repealed outright, leaving California's underlying age-verification framework intact while contesting the specific restrictions on content delivery [3].
California officials named as defendants did not immediately comment on the filings. The lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, according to court records.
What the California Law Requires
AB 1709 prohibits social media platforms from offering autoplay videos and personalized feeds to users under 16, according to the legislative text [4]. The law also requires the platforms to delete these users' accounts if they don't turn those features off [4]. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the bill into law in September 2026, and it is slated to take effect at the start of the new year [4].
Supporters of the measure said it addresses youth mental health concerns. The measure was championed by Newsom as part of a broader state effort to regulate technology platforms' interactions with minors [5].
The law is part of a wave of state-level legislation targeting social media design features. Similar measures have been enacted in Texas, where outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed the App Store Accountability Act on May 27, 2025, requiring tech companies like Apple and Google to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors before allowing app downloads, with that law taking effect in January 2026 [6].
Industry Arguments in Court Filing
Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits seeking to block a California law designed to protect children from the risks of social media, arguing that it violates their rights under the First Amendment [2]. The companies contend that the law would require them to implement age-verification systems that would necessitate collecting identity documents or biometric data from users.
The companies have argued that compliance with varying state laws creates unworkable burdens and inconsistent standards across the country.
The lawsuits cite both the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the latter being a federal law that protects online platforms from certain liability for user-generated content [3]. Section 230 has been a central component of prior legal challenges to state social media regulations.
California Officials and Supporters Respond
Bonta said his office will defend the law, stating that the state has an interest in protecting minors from harmful online practices. The Golden State's AG is co-leading a separate case against Meta Platforms in federal court in Oakland, where a coalition of 29 state AGs accuses the company of breaking child safety laws and harming underage users' mental health [7]. Opening arguments in that trial were scheduled to begin in August 2026 [7].
That broader litigation has already produced significant developments. Meta Platforms agreed to pay a maximum of $16.7 billion as part of a settlement with state attorneys general over social media addiction claims, according to a court filing released on August 26, 2026 [8]. The settlement, approved by Northern District of California Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, included requirements that Meta make changes to its apps as part of a proposed consent judgment [8].
California Energy Commissioner Nancy Skinner, who co-authored the legislation during her tenure as state senator, said the measure responds to research linking social media use to depression and anxiety in youth, according to a legislative analysis. Supporters cited internal platform documents and public health data; the plaintiffs disputed those characterizations, according to filings.
Conclusion
The lawsuits filed by Google, Meta and TikTok represent the latest chapter in an ongoing legal battle over state authority to regulate social media platforms and their interactions with young users. The case will likely hinge on how courts balance state interests in protecting minors against First Amendment protections for platforms and users alike.
The outcome could have implications beyond California. As more states enact similar legislation and as federal lawmakers consider their own measures, the legal framework governing social media regulation remains unsettled. The California case is expected to provide guidance on the limits of state power in this area.
References
- Google, Meta, TikTok sue to block California youth social .... https://www.reuters.com/world/us/google-meta-tiktok-sue-block-california-youth-social-media-law-2026-11-05/
- Google, Meta, TikTok challenge California law on kids' social media use .... https://apnews.com/article/google-meta-tiktok-lawsuit-california-kids-589c0eabeabced2e07b8f9138ee2df79
- Meta, Google, TikTok Challenge California Social Media Restrictions. https://reclaimthenet.org/meta-google-tiktok-challenge-california-social-media-restrictions
- Meta, Google, and TikTok sue California AG over teen social media law. https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/05/meta-google-and-tiktok-sue-california-ag-over-teen-social-media-law/
- Meta, TikTok, Google sue to block California teen social media law .... https://www.politico.com/news/2026/11/05/meta-tiktok-google-sue-to-block-california-teen-social-media-law-championed-by-newsom-01151171
- Gov Greg Abbott signs law that requires age verification parental consent for app downloads - NaturalNews.com, June 01, 2025. by NaturalNews.com
- California Trial Over Teen Safety Opens Against Meta With 29 States in Coalition - NaturalNews.com, August 18, 2026. by NaturalNews.com
- Meta Platforms Enters $16.7 Billion Settlement with State AGs Over Social Media Addiction Lawsuit. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-08-27-meta-settles-ags-social-media-addiction-lawsuit.html
- Judge Lets California Social Media Feed Limits Stay in Force. https://reclaimthenet.org/california-sb-976-social-media-feed-limits
- Australia Moves to Sue Meta, TikTok and YouTube Over Failure to Enforce Under-16 Social Media Ban. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-10-23-australia-sue-tech-giants-social-media-ban.html
- Legal challenge to Australia's social media ban to start in High Court. https://bbc.com/news/articles/ck79py02p1jlo
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